Reflections in G

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

Chord Diagrams — Reflections in G (Guitar)

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

swing4/4 · 32 bars · Form: A

Chords: GMaj7, F7, E7, D♯9, Am7, D7♭9, A♯m7, Bm7, E13♭9, F♯m7♭5, A7sus4, G♯7, G♯dim, A♯dim, G♯augadd9add7, Bm7♭5, E7♯11, D7, G7, C13♯11, F♯m7, C7♯11, B7♯5, Em7, Em9, A7♭9.

Scales for Improvisation G bebop, G bebop major.

Diatonic chords: See all chords in the key of G