Quasimodo in G

Charlie Parker(1947)swing
Do Re MiC D E
A
D13
BmMaj7add9add11add13
E7♯5
D13♭9

Chord Diagrams — Quasimodo in G (Guitar)

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Quasimodo in G

Key of G

G major is the singer-songwriter's key. The open G, B, and D strings spell out the full G major triad with zero fretting. Add the open high E for a Gadd6 shimmer. Nearly every diatonic chord (Em, Am, C, D) has a comfortable open voicing. G is a beginner-level key on guitar because the open G, B, and D strings form a complete G major triad without fretting a single note, and the open low E adds a rich 6th color. Beginners will find this key approachable since most chords use open voicings with minimal stretching.

Voice Leading

The bass line moves through D to G (ascending perfect fourth), G to F# (descending half step), F# to A (ascending minor third), A to D (ascending perfect fourth), D to E (ascending whole step), E to B (descending perfect fourth), B to E (ascending perfect fourth), E to C# (descending minor third), C# to B (descending whole step), B to E (ascending perfect fourth), E to A (ascending perfect fourth), A to D (ascending perfect fourth), D to B (descending minor third), B to E (ascending perfect fourth), E to D (descending whole step), D to G (ascending perfect fourth), G to C (ascending perfect fourth), C to F# (ascending tritone), F# to C# (descending perfect fourth), C# to C (descending half step), C to G (descending perfect fourth), G to A (ascending whole step), A to D (ascending perfect fourth), D to D (ascending unison). 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 D to D 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 · 34 bars · Form: A

Chords: D13, GMaj7, F♯7, Am7, D7, E7♭9, B7, Em7, C♯m7, BmMaj7add9add11add13, E7♭5, A7, D6, Bm7, E7♯5, Dm7, G7, C6, F♯m7, C♯m7♭5, Cm6, G6, Am7♭5, D7♭9, D13♭9.

Scales for Improvisation G bebop, G bebop major.

Diatonic chords: See all chords in the key of G