Do Re MiC D E

I Remember Clifford

Benny Golson(1957)4/4ballad

Chord Diagrams — I Remember Clifford in G (Guitar)

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

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: A

Chords: C, D9, B7, A♯m7, Cm7, Dm7, Em7, Am7, D7♭9, Am7/B♭, G, C♯dim, D♯dim, D7, Em7/B♭, F♯7, C♯m7♭5, Bm7/F, Bm7, C♯7, G♯m7♭5, E7, Bm7♭5, F♯m7♭5.

Scales for Improvisation G bebop, G bebop major.

Diatonic chords: See all chords in the key of G