Who composed Poor Butterfly?

Poor Butterfly was composed by Raymond Hubbell. It is a ballad standard in 4/4 time. The original key is Ab; this page shows it transposed to G#.

What key is Poor Butterfly in?

The original key of Poor Butterfly is Ab. The form is ABAC with 30 bars. This page shows the chart transposed to G#.

What scales work for improvising over Poor Butterfly?

Recommended scales for Poor Butterfly in G#: bebop, bebop major. Scales and arpeggios update in real-time as each chord plays, with context-aware analysis (e.g., Phrygian Dominant over secondary dominants).

How does the interactive backing track work?

The backing track plays with realistic walking bass, drum patterns, and voice-led chord voicings. Scales and arpeggios update in real-time as each chord plays. You can limit the fretboard zone for close-proximity voicings, toggle a reference melody, loop any section, and choose between multiple sound presets. Works for guitar, piano, bass, ukulele, and 7 more instruments.

Can I edit the chord chart?

Yes. You can modify the structure, chords, and arrangement of any standard to match your preferred version or create your own reharmonization.

Poor Butterfly in G#

Raymond Hubbell()balladModerately Slow

Do Re MiC D E

BPM: 120

Chord Diagrams — Poor Butterfly in G# (Guitar)

Display

FingerNoteDegree

Chord Voicings Closest Voicing

C7♯5

Poor Butterfly in 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 A# to D# (ascending perfect fourth), D# to G# (ascending perfect fourth), G# to C (ascending major third), C to F (ascending perfect fourth), F to G (ascending whole step), G to F (descending whole step), F to A# (ascending perfect fourth), A# to C# (ascending minor third), C# to F# (ascending perfect fourth), F# to C (ascending tritone), C to G# (descending major 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 A# 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.

ballad4/4 · 30 bars · Form: ABAC

Chords: A♯m7, D♯7, G♯Maj7, C7♯5, F7, Gm7♭5, Fm7, A♯7, C♯m7, F♯7, Cm7, G♯.

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

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