Where or When in G

Richard Rodgers / Lorenz Hart(1937)swing
Do Re MiC D E
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Chord Diagrams — Where or When in G (Guitar)

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

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: AB

Chords: GMaj7, Em7, C♯m7♭5, C7, Bm7, Am7, G7, CMaj7, Cm7, F7, E7, D7, F♯m7♭5, B7♭9, Em11, A9, D7♭9, Dm9, CMaj9, Bm7♭5, E7♭9, A7, G6.

Scales for Improvisation G bebop, G bebop major.

Diatonic chords: See all chords in the key of G