Reflections in G#

Thelonious Monk(1954)swing
Do Re MiC D E
A

Chord Diagrams — Reflections in G# (Guitar)

Display
FingerNoteDegree
E9
EADGBE213
EADGBE113x426frEADGBE2222219frEADGBE11112
F7
EADGBE111132
3frEADGBE11x3248frEADGBE11113410frEADGBE111xx2
F♯7
EADGBE111132
4frEADGBE11x3247frEADGBEx3241x9frEADGBE111134
G♯Maj7
4frEADGBE111423
6frEADGBE11x3339frEADGBEx3241x11frEADGBE111324
D♯7♭9
EADGBExx24
5frEADGBE11x2346frEADGBE11x349frEADGBE3241xx
A♯m7
EADGBE111x32
EADGBExx23146frEADGBE1111138frEADGBE11x423
Bm7
EADGBE111132
3frEADGBExx23147frEADGBE1111139frEADGBE11x423
F13♭9
EADGBE111324
EADGBE1112347frEADGBE44x2138frEADGBE111134
Cm7
EADGBEx2134x
3frEADGBE1111324frEADGBExx23148frEADGBE111113
Gm7♭5
EADGBE3xx421
EADGBE2x341x5frEADGBE222xx110frEADGBEx1324x
A7
EADGBEx23
EADGBE111x25frEADGBE1111327frEADGBEx1324
A♯7sus4
EADGBE111x34
EADGBE1122xx6frEADGBE1111348frEADGBExx1324
Adim
EADGBEx132x
3frEADGBE31x42x7frEADGBExx12x310frEADGBEx41x23
Aaugadd9add7
Bdim
EADGBEx3x2
EADGBEx1243x5frEADGBE31x42x9frEADGBExx12x3
F7♯11
EADGBE123
3frEADGBExx12347frEADGBE11x2348frEADGBE111x23
Cm7♭5
EADGBEx1324x
4frEADGBE11xx248frEADGBE11123410frEADGBE333xx1
D♯7
EADGBExx1324
6frEADGBE111x348frEADGBE111xx211frEADGBE111132
C♯13♯11
C♯ - F - G♯ - B - D♯ - G - A♯
G♯7
EADGBE111xx2
4frEADGBE1111326frEADGBE11x32411frEADGBE111134
C7♯5
EADGBEx213x4
3frEADGBE11x4328frEADGBE1x23410frEADGBExx1423
C♯7♯11
EADGBEx213
4frEADGBE111x238frEADGBE1112349frEADGBE111123
Gm7
3frEADGBE111113
5frEADGBE11x4238frEADGBE11x23410frEADGBE111132
Fm7
EADGBE111113
3frEADGBExx14238frEADGBE1111329frEADGBExx2314
A♯7♭9
EADGBEx123
4frEADGBE3241xx6frEADGBE111x2312frEADGBE11x234
Fm9
EADGBE111134
EADGBEx12346frEADGBE2222x111frEADGBE22221

Reflections 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 E to F (ascending half step), F to F# (ascending half step), F# to G# (ascending whole step), G# to D# (descending perfect fourth), D# to A# (descending perfect fourth), A# to B (ascending half step), B to F (ascending tritone), F to C (descending perfect fourth), C to G (descending perfect fourth), G to A (ascending whole step), A to A# (ascending half step), A# to A (descending half step), A to A (ascending unison), A to B (ascending whole step), B to F (ascending tritone), F to C (descending perfect fourth), C to D# (ascending minor third), D# to C# (descending whole step), C# to G# (descending perfect fourth), G# to C (ascending major third), C to C# (ascending half step), C# to G (ascending tritone), G to F (descending whole step), F to A# (ascending perfect fourth), A# to F (descending perfect fourth). 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 E by half 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.

swing4/4 · 32 bars · Form: A

Chords: E9, F7, F♯7, G♯Maj7, D♯7♭9, A♯m7, Bm7, F13♭9, Cm7, Gm7♭5, A7, A♯7sus4, Adim, Aaugadd9add7, Bdim, F7♯11, Cm7♭5, D♯7, C♯13♯11, G♯7, C7♯5, C♯7♯11, Gm7, Fm7, A♯7♭9, Fm9.

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

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