Molten Glass in G#

Joe Farrell()swing
Do Re MiC D E
A
B
C♭Maj7
A♯Maj7♯11
G♯Maj7♯11
F♯Maj7♯11
EMaj7♯11

Chord Diagrams — Molten Glass in G# (Guitar)

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Molten Glass 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 G (ascending tritone), G to C (ascending perfect fourth), C to F (ascending perfect fourth), F to E (descending half step), E to A (ascending perfect fourth), A to B (ascending whole step), B to C# (ascending whole step), C# to F# (ascending perfect fourth), F# to B (ascending perfect fourth), B to A# (descending half step), A# to D# (ascending perfect fourth), D# to E (ascending half step), E to Cb (descending major third), Cb to D (ascending whole step), D to A# (descending major third), A# to D# (ascending perfect fourth), D# to A (ascending tritone), A to C (ascending minor third), C to A# (descending whole step), A# to G# (descending whole step), G# to F# (descending whole step), F# to E (descending whole step). 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 E to G# by major 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.

swing4/4 · 16 bars · Form: AB

Chords: G♯Maj7, C♯Maj7, Gm7♭5, C7♭9, FMaj7, Em7♭5, A7, Bm7, C♯m7♭5, F♯7♭9, BMaj7, A♯m7♭5, D♯7♭9, EMaj7, C♭Maj7, DMaj7, A♯Maj7, D♯Maj7, AMaj7, CMaj7, A♯Maj7♯11, G♯Maj7♯11, F♯Maj7♯11, EMaj7♯11.

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

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