My Shining Hour in G#

Harold Arlen / Johnny Mercer(1943)swing
Do Re MiC D E
A
A♯m/D♯

Chord Diagrams — My Shining Hour in G# (Guitar)

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My Shining Hour 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 F (descending minor third), F to A# (ascending perfect fourth), A# to D# (ascending perfect fourth), D# to G (ascending major third), G to C (ascending perfect fourth), C to A# (descending whole step), A# to D# (ascending perfect fourth), D# to G# (ascending perfect fourth), G# to C# (ascending perfect fourth), C# to C# (ascending unison), C# to F# (ascending perfect fourth), F# to A# (ascending major third), A# to C (ascending whole step), C to F (ascending perfect fourth), F to G# (ascending minor third). 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 G# to G# by unison.

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 · 32 bars · Form: A

Chords: G♯Maj7, Fm, A♯7, D♯7, Gm7♭5, C7♯9, A♯m/D♯, D♯m, G♯7, C♯Maj7, C♯m, F♯7, A♯m, Cm7♭5, F7♯9, G♯.

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

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