Do Re MiC D E

Maze, The

Hancock Herbie4/4medium-swing

Chord Diagrams — Maze, The in G# (Guitar)

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Maze, The 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 C# (ascending perfect fourth), C# to C# (ascending unison), C# to B (descending whole step), B to A# (descending half step), A# to A (descending half step), A to C# (ascending major third), C# to D# (ascending whole step), D# to A (ascending tritone). 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 half 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.

medium-swing4/4 · 37 bars · Form: AB

Chords: G♯m7, C♯/E, C♯m7, Bm7, A♯m7♭5, A13, C♯7, D♯7♭9, Amaj7.

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

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