How High The Moon in G

W. M. Lewis()swing
Do Re MiC D E
A
B
D♯/D
Am11
D9sus4
Am11

Chord Diagrams — How High The Moon in G (Guitar)

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How High The Moon 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 G (ascending unison), G to C (ascending perfect fourth), C to F (ascending perfect fourth), F to F (ascending unison), F to A# (ascending perfect fourth), A# to D# (ascending perfect fourth), D# to D# (ascending unison), D# to C (descending minor third), C to D (ascending whole step), D to C (descending whole step), C to B (descending half step), B to A (descending whole step), A to D (ascending perfect fourth), D to A (descending perfect fourth). A half-step bass movement creates a strong leading-tone pull that demands resolution. The mix of stepwise and leap motion balances smoothness with harmonic drive. 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 · 23 bars · Form: AB

Chords: G, Gm7, C7, F, Fm7, A♯7, D♯, D♯/D, Cm7, D7, CMaj7, Bm7, Am11, D9sus4, Am7.

Scales for Improvisation G bebop, G bebop major.

Diatonic chords: See all chords in the key of G