As Time Goes By in G

Herman Hupfeld()balladBallad
Do Re MiC D E
A
A
B
A

Chord Diagrams — As Time Goes By in G (Guitar)

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As Time Goes By in G

As Time Goes By in 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 A to D (ascending perfect fourth), D to D (ascending unison), D to G (ascending perfect fourth), G to A# (ascending minor third), A# to B (ascending half step), B to A (descending whole step), A to G (descending whole step), G to D (descending perfect fourth), D to G (ascending perfect fourth), G to C (ascending perfect fourth), C to E (ascending major third), E to A (ascending perfect fourth), A to C# (ascending major third), C# to E (ascending minor third), E to C (descending major third), C to D (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 D to A by perfect fourth.

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 · 41 bars · Form: AABA

Chords: Am7, D7, Dm6, G6, A♯dim7, Bm7, A7, GMaj7, Dm7, G7, CMaj7, E7, Am, C♯dim, Em, C7, Ddim.

Scales for Improvisation G bebop, G bebop major.

Diatonic chords: See all chords in the key of G