Guilty was composed by Gus Kahn, Harry Akst, Richard A. Whiting. It is a ballad standard in 4/4 time. The original key is Bb; this page shows it transposed to G#.

What key is Guilty in?

The original key of Guilty is Bb. The form is AABA with 38 bars. This page shows the chart transposed to G#.

What scales work for improvising over Guilty?

Recommended scales for Guilty in G#: bebop, bebop major. Scales and arpeggios update in real-time as each chord plays, with context-aware analysis (e.g., Phrygian Dominant over secondary dominants).

How does the interactive backing track work?

The backing track plays with realistic walking bass, drum patterns, and voice-led chord voicings. Scales and arpeggios update in real-time as each chord plays. You can limit the fretboard zone for close-proximity voicings, toggle a reference melody, loop any section, and choose between multiple sound presets. Works for guitar, piano, bass, ukulele, and 7 more instruments.

Can I edit the chord chart?

Yes. You can modify the structure, chords, and arrangement of any standard to match your preferred version or create your own reharmonization.

Guilty in G#

Gus Kahn, Harry Akst, Richard A. Whiting()balladSlowly

Do Re MiC D E

BPM: 120

Chord Diagrams — Guilty in G# (Guitar)

Display

FingerNoteDegree

Chord Voicings Closest Voicing

G♯

D♯m/F♯

F7♯5

A♯m

A♯m/G♯

G7♯5

G♯7♯5

D♯7♯5

D♯6/c

Fm7/c

Guilty in 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 D# (descending perfect fourth), D# to F (ascending whole step), F to F (ascending unison), F to A# (ascending perfect fourth), A# to A# (ascending unison), A# to G (descending minor third), G to G (ascending unison), G to G# (ascending half step), G# to G# (ascending unison), G# to C# (ascending perfect fourth), C# to C# (ascending unison), C# to B (descending whole step), B to A# (descending half step), A# to D# (ascending perfect fourth), D# to D# (ascending unison), D# to C (descending minor third), C to C (ascending unison), C to C (ascending unison), C to D (ascending whole step), D to D (ascending unison), D to D# (ascending half step), D# to F (ascending whole step), F to D# (descending whole step), D# to E (ascending half step), E to F (ascending half step), F to A# (ascending perfect fourth), A# to D# (ascending perfect fourth), D# to D# (ascending unison). A half-step bass movement creates a strong leading-tone pull that demands resolution. The predominantly stepwise bass motion creates smooth, connected voice leading. When the progression loops, the bass returns from D# to G# 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 · 38 bars · Form: AABA

Chords: G♯, D♯m/F♯, F7♯5, F7, A♯m, A♯m/G♯, G7♯5, G7, G♯Maj7, G♯7♯5, C♯Maj7, C♯m, Bdim7, A♯m7, D♯7, D♯7♯5, Cm, CmMaj7, Cm7, Dm7♭5, Dm7, D♯6/c, Fm7/c, D♯6, Edim7, Fm7, A♯9, D♯sus4, D♯7♭9.

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

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