Recorda Me in G#

Joe Henderson(1963)swing

Recorda Me 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 B (ascending minor third), B to B (ascending unison), B to E (ascending perfect fourth), E to A (ascending perfect fourth), A to A (ascending unison), A to D (ascending perfect fourth), D to G (ascending perfect fourth), G to G (ascending unison), G to C (ascending perfect fourth), C to F (ascending perfect fourth), F to F# (ascending half step), F# to B (ascending perfect fourth), B to E (ascending perfect fourth), E to D# (descending half step), D# to E# (descending minor third). 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 · 18 bars · Form: AB

Chords: G♯m, Bm, Bm7, E7, AMaj7, Am7, D7, GMaj7, Gm7, C7, FMaj7, F♯m7, B7, EMaj7, D♯7♯9, E♯9.

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

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