Cherry in G

Don Redman / Ray Gilbert(1928)swing
Do Re MiC D E
A
B
Bm7♭5/F
G/D
G/B
G/D
Bm7♭5/F
G/D

Chord Diagrams — Cherry in G (Guitar)

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Cherry in G

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

swing2/2 · 26 bars · Form: AB

Chords: G, F♯7, Bm7♭5/F, E7, A7, Am7, C♯dim, G/D, G/B, A♯dim, D7, C7, Gdim, B7.

Scales for Improvisation G bebop, G bebop major.

Diatonic chords: See all chords in the key of G