At Last in G#

Mack Gordon / Harry Warren(1942)swing
Do Re MiC D E
A
B

Chord Diagrams — At Last in G# (Guitar)

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At Last 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 F (descending minor third), F to A# (ascending perfect fourth), A# to D# (ascending perfect fourth), D# to A# (descending perfect fourth), A# to D# (ascending perfect fourth), D# to C (descending minor third), C to F (ascending perfect fourth), F to C# (descending major third), C# to D# (ascending whole step), D# to G# (ascending perfect fourth), G# to D (ascending tritone), D to G (ascending perfect fourth), G to A# (ascending minor third), A# to D# (ascending perfect fourth), D# to C (descending minor third), C to A# (descending whole step). 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 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.

swing4/4 · 27 bars · Form: AB

Chords: G♯, Fm, A♯m7, D♯9, A♯m, D♯7, Cm7, Fm7, C♯m6, D♯7♭9, G♯Maj7, Dm7♭5, G7♭9♯5, A♯7, D♯Maj7, C7, A♯7♭9.

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

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