What key is That's All in?

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

ballad2/2 · 32 bars · Form: AABA

Chords: Sol♯, La♯m7, Dom7, Do♯m7, Re♯7, Fa9, Rem7♭5, Sidim7, Fa7♭9, Re♯7♭9, Re♯m7, Sol♯9, Do♯Maj79, La♯9, Do♯Maj7, Do♯6, Fam7, Re♯Maj79, Do9.

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