Do Re MiC D E

Blues March

Golson Benny4/4medium-swing

Chord Diagrams — Blues March in G# (Guitar)

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Blues March 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 B (ascending perfect fourth), B to E (ascending perfect fourth), E to F (ascending half step), F to G (ascending whole step), G to A# (ascending minor third), A# to D# (ascending perfect fourth), D# to A (ascending tritone), A to D (ascending perfect fourth), D to D (ascending unison), D to G# (ascending tritone), G# to C (ascending major third), C to F (ascending perfect fourth), F to A# (ascending perfect fourth). 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 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.

medium-swing4/4 · 52 bars · Form: AB

Chords: G♯7, C♯7, F♯7, B7, E7, Fm7♭5, G7, A♯m7♭5, D♯7, A7, D7, Ddim7, G♯7/F, Cm7, F7, A♯m7.

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

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