Do Re MiC D E

Alone Too Long

Schwartz Arthur4/4ballad

Chord Diagrams — Alone Too Long in G (Guitar)

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Alone Too Long in G

Key of G

G major is the singer-songwriter's key. The open G, B, and D strings spell out the full G major triad with zero fretting. Add the open high E for a Gadd6 shimmer. Nearly every diatonic chord (Em, Am, C, D) has a comfortable open voicing. G is a beginner-level key on guitar because the open G, B, and D strings form a complete G major triad without fretting a single note, and the open low E adds a rich 6th color. Beginners will find this key approachable since most chords use open voicings with minimal stretching.

Voice Leading

The bass line moves through G to G# (ascending half step), G# to A (ascending half step), A to D (ascending perfect fourth), D to E (ascending whole step), E to F# (ascending whole step), F# to B (ascending perfect fourth), B to E (ascending perfect fourth), E to E (ascending unison), E to E (ascending unison), E to C (descending major third), C to B (descending half step), B to E (ascending perfect fourth), E to A (ascending perfect fourth). A half-step bass movement creates a strong leading-tone pull that demands resolution. The predominantly stepwise bass motion creates smooth, connected voice leading. When the progression loops, the bass returns from A to G by whole step.

Scales for Improvisation

G major pentatonic works because every note is either a chord tone or a safe passing tone — there are no avoid notes. For soloing, this means you can play freely without clashing. Over dominant seventh chords, G Mixolydian adds the flat seventh for an authentic blues-rock edge.

ballad4/4 · 32 bars · Form: ABA

Chords: G6, G♯dim7, Am7, D7, Em7, F♯m7♭5, B7♭9, Em, Em/D, Em/C♯, C7, B7, Em6, A7.

Scales for Improvisation G bebop, G bebop major.

Diatonic chords: See all chords in the key of G