La Vida Es Bella (Feeling Good) in G#

La Vida Es Bella (Feeling Good) in G#

La Vida Es Bella (Feeling Good) in G#: Anthony Newley / Leslie Bricusse's Latin jazz classic. Dorian and Harmonic Minor scales define the exotic, modal color of these sophisticated changes. Chords: G#m – C#m – D#7 – B – E – F#7.

La Vida Es Bella (Feeling Good) 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 C# (ascending perfect fourth), C# to D# (ascending whole step), D# to B (descending major third), B to E (ascending perfect fourth), E to F# (ascending whole step). 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 F# 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.