Bemsha Swing in Sol#

Bemsha Swing in Sol#

Monk and Denzil Best's collaborative groove piece channels Monk's rhythmic wit through Mixolydian and Lydian Dominant color over a loping G# swing. The deceptively simple head conceals harmonic surprises that reward careful listening and internalization. Study the G#7 – B7 – A#7 – E7 changes to develop command of Lydian Dominant dominant color in a swinging context.

Bemsha Swing in Sol#

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 B (ascending minor third), B to A# (descending half step), A# to E (ascending tritone). 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 E to G# by major third.

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.