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Pedro Navaja in G#
Pedro Navaja in G#: Rubén Blades's minor salsa. Dorian and Harmonic Minor scales give this groove its characteristic dark edge. Chords: G#sus4 – F#sus4 – A#m7 – C7 – Bmaj7 – A# – G#6 – F7 – D#7.
Pedro Navaja 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 F# (descending whole step), F# to A# (ascending major third), A# to C (ascending whole step), C to B (descending half step), B to A# (descending half step), A# to G# (descending whole step), G# to F (descending minor third), F to D# (descending whole step). 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 D# 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.