Who composed Stormy Weather?

Stormy Weather was composed by Harold Arlen in 1933. It is a ballad standard in 2/2 time. The original key is G; this page shows it transposed to G#.

What key is Stormy Weather in?

The original key of Stormy Weather is G. The form is AABA with 49 bars. This page shows the chart transposed to G#.

What scales work for improvising over Stormy Weather?

Recommended scales for Stormy Weather 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.

Stormy Weather in G#

Harold Arlen(1933)balladSlowly

Do Re MiC D E

BPM: 120

Chord Diagrams — Stormy Weather in G# (Guitar)

Display

FingerNoteDegree

Chord Voicings Closest Voicing

D♯7♯5♭9

Stormy Weather in G#

Harold Arlen's torch-song standard blends blues and jazz harmony, drawing Dorian and Blues language into a deeply expressive G# setting. Bebop Major lines add forward motion and brightness against the inherently dark emotional weight. Work through the G# – Adim7 – A#m7 – D#9 – F7 – D#7#5b9 – C# – Cm7 – D#7b9 – D#m7 – G#7 – A# – C#Maj7 – G#Maj7 – Ddim7 – C7 – Fm7 – A#7 – D#7 changes to develop seamless transition between blues intensity and swinging forward drive.

Stormy Weather 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 G# to A (ascending half step), A to A# (ascending half step), A# to D# (ascending perfect fourth), D# to F (ascending whole step), F to D# (descending whole step), D# to C# (descending whole step), C# to C (descending half step), C to D# (ascending minor third), D# to D# (ascending unison), D# to G# (ascending perfect fourth), G# to A# (ascending whole step), A# to C# (ascending minor third), C# to G# (descending perfect fourth), G# to D (ascending tritone), D to C (descending whole step), C to F (ascending perfect fourth), F to A# (ascending perfect fourth), A# to D# (ascending perfect fourth). A half-step bass movement creates a strong leading-tone pull that demands resolution. The mix of stepwise and leap motion balances smoothness with harmonic drive. When the progression loops, the bass returns from D# to G# by perfect fourth.

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.

ballad2/2 · 49 bars · Form: AABA

Chords: G♯, Adim7, A♯m7, D♯9, F7, D♯7♯5♭9, C♯, Cm7, D♯7♭9, D♯m7, G♯7, A♯, C♯Maj7, G♯Maj7, Ddim7, C7, Fm7, A♯7, D♯7.

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

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