G-sharp dominant seventh chord (G#7)
The G♯ dominant seventh chord (G♯7) is a dominant seventh chord: a major triad with a minor seventh on top, G♯, B♯, D♯ and F♯ (root, major third, perfect fifth and minor seventh).
It is the V7 in C♯ minor and the V7 (A♭7) in D♭ major, and it wants to resolve to C♯ major, a perfect fourth higher.
Below: voicings, notes on the fretboard, ukulele, piano, inversions and progressions.
How to play G♯ dominant seventh on guitar
There are 2 guitar voicings.
Frets from the 6th string to the 1st: x = not played, 0 = open string.
- Voicing 1: 4-6-4-5-4-4, barre at fret 4, with G♯ in the bass (fingers 1-3-1-2-1-1).
- Voicing 2: x-11-13-11-13-11, movable A-shape barre chord at fret 11, with G♯ in the bass.
Notes of the G♯ dominant seventh chord on the fretboard
G♯ dominant seventh has 4 notes: G♯, B♯, D♯ and F♯. This is where they fall on each string, from the nut to the 12th fret (fret number in parentheses):
- String 6 (E): F♯ (2) · G♯ (4) · B♯ (8) · D♯ (11)
- String 5 (A): B♯ (3) · D♯ (6) · F♯ (9) · G♯ (11)
- String 4 (D): D♯ (1) · F♯ (4) · G♯ (6) · B♯ (10)
- String 3 (G): G♯ (1) · B♯ (5) · D♯ (8) · F♯ (11)
- String 2 (B): B♯ (1) · D♯ (4) · F♯ (7) · G♯ (9)
- String 1 (E): F♯ (2) · G♯ (4) · B♯ (8) · D♯ (11)
Formula and intervals of G♯ dominant seventh
Its formula is 1-3-5-♭7; in semitones from the root, 0-4-7-10.
- G♯: Root, the note that gives the chord its name
- B♯: Major third (M3), 4 semitones above G♯
- D♯: Perfect fifth (P5), 7 semitones above G♯
- F♯: Minor seventh (m7), 10 semitones above G♯
G♯ dominant seventh on ukulele
- Ukulele (G C E A): 1-3-2-3; it sounds G♯, D♯, F♯ and B♯.
G♯ dominant seventh on piano
- Keys: G♯4, B♯4, D♯5 and F♯5.
Inversions of G♯ dominant seventh
Each inversion puts a different note in the bass.
- Root position: G♯, B♯, D♯ and F♯, with G♯ in the bass.
- First inversion (G♯7/B♯): B♯, D♯, F♯ and G♯, with B♯ in the bass.
- Second inversion (G♯7/D♯): D♯, F♯, G♯ and B♯, with D♯ in the bass.
- Third inversion (G♯7/F♯): F♯, G♯, B♯ and D♯, with F♯ in the bass.
Keys that use G♯ dominant seventh
G♯ dominant seventh appears in 3 major and minor keys.
| Key | Degree | Function |
|---|---|---|
| D♭ major (5 flats) | V7 (written A♭7) | Dominant |
| B♭ minor (5 flats) | VII7 (written A♭7) | Subtonic |
| C♯ minor (harmonic minor, 4 sharps) | V7 | Dominant |
Progressions with G♯ dominant seventh
- Jazz ii–V–I in D♭ major (ii7–V7–Imaj7): E♭m7 – A♭7 – D♭maj7
- 12-bar blues in D♭ major (I7–IV7–V7): D♭7 – G♭7 – A♭7
- Minor cadence in C♯ minor (i–iv–V7): C♯m – F♯m – G♯7
G♯ dominant seventh or A♭ dominant seventh?
G♯ dominant seventh (G♯7) and A♭ dominant seventh (A♭7) are the same chord with two names: they sound the same and use the same frets.
The spelling depends on the key: it is written A♭ dominant seventh in flat keys and G♯ dominant seventh in sharp keys.
Frequently asked questions
What notes are in the G♯ dominant seventh chord?
G♯, B♯, D♯ and F♯: root, major third, perfect fifth and minor seventh. Its formula is 1-3-5-♭7.
Which keys use G♯ dominant seventh?
Mainly as the V7 in C♯ minor and the V7 (A♭7) in D♭ major. In total it appears in 3 major and minor keys.
Is A♭ dominant seventh the same chord as G♯ dominant seventh?
Yes: A♭ dominant seventh and G♯ dominant seventh sound the same and are played the same way. It is written A♭ dominant seventh in flat keys and G♯ dominant seventh in sharp keys.
What chord does G♯ dominant seventh resolve to?
As a dominant seventh, G♯ dominant seventh (G♯, B♯, D♯ and F♯) resolves naturally to C♯ major: its third rises a half step to the new tonic and its seventh falls to the third of the next chord.