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My Funny Valentine in G#
The G# reading of My Funny Valentine: built on a descending chromatic bass over a static minor tonic, one of jazz's most haunting devices. Aeolian and Dorian blend naturally; Harmonic Minor is essential over the V7. Changes: G#m – D#7/b – G#m7/Bb – Fm7b5 – EMaj7 – C#m9 – A#m7b5 – D#7b9 – A#7b5b9 – D#m7 – G#7b5b9 – C#m7b5 – F#7b9 – BMaj7 – C#m7 – B – D#7#5 – D#7 – G#m7 – F#m7 – F7b9 – G9 – F#m9 – F7b5#9 – F#7.
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 D# (descending perfect fourth), D# to G# (ascending perfect fourth), G# to F (descending minor third), F to E (descending half step), E to C# (descending minor third), C# to A# (descending minor third), A# to D# (ascending perfect fourth), D# to A# (descending perfect fourth), A# to D# (ascending perfect fourth), D# to G# (ascending perfect fourth), G# to C# (ascending perfect fourth), C# to F# (ascending perfect fourth), F# to B (ascending perfect fourth), B to C# (ascending whole step), C# to B (descending whole step), B to D# (ascending major third), D# to D# (ascending unison), D# to G# (ascending perfect fourth), G# to F# (descending whole step), F# to F (descending half step), F to G (ascending whole step), G to F# (descending half step), F# to F (descending half step), F to F# (ascending half 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 F# 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.