Three O'Clock in the Morning in G#

Dorothy Terriss / Julian Robledo(1919)swing
Do Re MiC D E
A
A♯m/D♯
A♯m/D♯
A♯m/D♯
A♯m/D♯
G♯aug7
G♯Maj7/C
A♯m/D♯

Chord Diagrams — Three O'Clock in the Morning in G# (Guitar)

Display
FingerNoteDegree

Three O'Clock in the Morning 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 A# (ascending whole step), A# to C (ascending whole step), C to B (descending half step), B to A# (descending half step), A# to D# (ascending perfect fourth), D# to A# (descending perfect fourth), A# to A# (ascending unison), A# to G# (descending whole step), G# to C# (ascending perfect fourth), C# to F (ascending major third), F to G# (ascending minor third), G# to F (descending minor third), F 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.

swing3/4 · 33 bars · Form: A

Chords: G♯Maj7, A♯m/D♯, Cm, Bdim, A♯m, D♯7, A♯mMaj7, A♯m7, G♯aug7, C♯Maj7, F7♯9, G♯Maj7/C, Fm, A♯7.

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

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