Let's Call The Whole Thing Off in G

George Gershwin()swingBrightly
Do Re MiC D E
A
A
'
B
A
'
'
G7/f
Cm/D♯
G7/f
Cm/D♯
G7/f
Cm/D♯

Chord Diagrams — Let's Call The Whole Thing Off in G (Guitar)

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Let's Call The Whole Thing Off in G

Let's Call The Whole Thing Off in 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 E (descending minor third), E to A (ascending perfect fourth), A to D (ascending perfect fourth), D to G (ascending perfect fourth), G to C (ascending perfect fourth), C to E (ascending major third), E to A (ascending perfect fourth), A to C# (ascending major third), C# to F# (ascending perfect fourth), F# to B (ascending perfect fourth), B to E (ascending perfect fourth). 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 E to G by minor 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 · 32 bars · Form: AA'BA''

Chords: G, Em9, Am7, D7, G7/f, Cm/D♯, Em, A7, C♯m7♭5, F♯7, Bm7, E7.

Scales for Improvisation G bebop, G bebop major.

Diatonic chords: See all chords in the key of G