I've Got The World On A String in G#

Harold Arlen / Ted Koehler(1932)swing
Do Re MiC D E
A
B
Caug7
F13
A♯13
A♯aug7
D♯13

Chord Diagrams — I've Got The World On A String in G# (Guitar)

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I've Got The World On A String 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 F# (descending whole step), F# to F (descending half step), F to A# (ascending perfect fourth), A# to C# (ascending minor third), C# to C (descending half step), C to B (descending half step), B to D# (ascending major third), D# to D# (ascending unison), D# to A (ascending tritone), A to G (descending whole step), G to C (ascending perfect fourth), C to C (ascending unison), C to F (ascending perfect fourth), F to A# (ascending perfect fourth), A# to A# (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 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 · 27 bars · Form: AB

Chords: G♯, F♯7, F7, A♯m7, C♯m6, Cm7, Bm7, D♯7, D♯13, Adim, Gm7, C7, Caug7, F13, A♯13, A♯aug7.

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

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