Wolverine blues in G#

Jelly Roll Morton / Benjamin Franklin "Reb" Spikes / John Curry Spikes(1923)swing
Do Re MiC D E
A
B
C

Chord Diagrams — Wolverine blues in G# (Guitar)

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Wolverine blues 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 G# (ascending unison), G# to D# (descending perfect fourth), D# to F (ascending whole step), F to A# (ascending perfect fourth), A# to G# (descending whole step), G# to C# (ascending perfect fourth), C# to G# (descending perfect fourth), G# to A (ascending half step), A to A# (ascending half step), A# to C# (ascending minor third), C# to C# (ascending unison). A half-step bass movement creates a strong leading-tone pull that demands resolution. The predominantly stepwise bass motion creates smooth, connected voice leading. When the progression loops, the bass returns from C# 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.

swing2/2 · 46 bars · Form: ABC

Chords: G♯, G♯dim, D♯7, F7, A♯7, G♯7, C♯, G♯6, Adim, A♯m7, C♯7, C♯m6.

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

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