Are You Real in G#

Benny Golson(1959)swing
Do Re MiC D E
A
B
D♯7/C♯

Chord Diagrams — Are You Real in G# (Guitar)

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Are You Real in G#

Key of G#

G# major (or Ab) lives at fret 4 on the low E string. All chords require barre technique, making it less common in guitar-centric songwriting but standard in piano-driven pop. Guitarists often use a capo to access friendlier shapes. G# is a intermediate-advanced-level key on guitar because the open G string is a half step below the root, creating dissonance — avoid letting it ring. Expect to rely on barre chords throughout, which builds hand strength and unlocks the entire fretboard.

Voice Leading

The bass line moves through G to C (ascending perfect fourth), C to F (ascending perfect fourth), F to A# (ascending perfect fourth), A# to D# (ascending perfect fourth), D# to G# (ascending perfect fourth), G# to D (ascending tritone), D to G (ascending perfect fourth), G to C (ascending perfect fourth), C to F (ascending perfect fourth), F to B (ascending tritone), B to E (ascending perfect fourth), E to A# (ascending tritone), A# to D# (ascending perfect fourth), D# to C (descending minor third), C to F# (ascending tritone), F# to F (descending half step), F to D# (descending whole step), D# to F (ascending whole step). A half-step bass movement creates a strong leading-tone pull that demands resolution. The root motion by larger intervals (fourths and fifths) gives each chord change a strong, decisive character. When the progression loops, the bass returns from F 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.

swing4/4 · 25 bars · Form: AB

Chords: Gm, C7♭9, Fm, A♯7, D♯, G♯, Dm7♭5, G7♯9, Cm7♭5, F7♭9, Bm, E7, A♯m, D♯7, C7, F♯7, F7, D♯7/C♯, F7♯9.

Scales for Improvisation G# bebop, G# bebop major.

Diatonic chords: See all chords in the key of G#