Let's Call the Whole Thing Off in G

George Gershwin / Ira Gershwin(1937)swing
Do Re MiC D E
A
G7/F
Cm6/D♯
C6/E
G6/D
G7/F
Cm6/D♯
C6/E
D9sus4
G6/D
E7/F
Cm6/D♯
C6/E
G6/D
B7♯5
D13

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

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 E to G (ascending minor third), G to D (descending perfect fourth), D to A (descending perfect fourth), A to G (descending whole step), G to C (ascending perfect fourth), C to C (ascending unison), C to E (ascending major third), E to G (ascending minor third), G to D (descending perfect fourth), D to A (descending perfect fourth), A to D (ascending perfect fourth), D to C# (descending half step), C# to B (descending whole step), B to F# (descending perfect fourth), F# to E (descending whole step), E to G (ascending minor third), G to D (descending perfect fourth), D to E (ascending whole step), E to B (descending perfect fourth), B to D (ascending minor third). A half-step bass movement creates a strong leading-tone pull that demands resolution. 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 D to E 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.

swing2/2 · 34 bars · Form: A

Chords: Em9, G6, D7♭9, Am7, G7/F, Cm6/D♯, C6/E, Em7, G6/D, D7, A7, D9sus4, C♯m7♭5, Bm7, F♯7♭9, E7♭9, G9, D9, E7/F, B7♯5, D13.

Scales for Improvisation G bebop, G bebop major.

Diatonic chords: See all chords in the key of G