G-sharp minor chord (G#m)
The G♯ minor chord (G♯m) is a minor triad made of G♯, B and D♯: root, minor third and perfect fifth.
It is the i in G♯ minor and the vi in B major; its relative major is B major, and D♯ dominant seventh leads into it as its V7.
Below: voicings, notes on the fretboard, ukulele, piano, inversions and progressions.
How to play G♯ minor on guitar
There are 2 guitar voicings.
Frets from the 6th string to the 1st: x = not played, 0 = open string.
- Voicing 1: 4-6-6-4-4-4, barre at fret 4, with G♯ in the bass (fingers 1-3-4-1-1-1).
- Voicing 2: x-11-13-13-12-11, movable A-shape barre chord at fret 11, with G♯ in the bass.
Notes of the G♯ minor chord on the fretboard
G♯ minor has 3 notes: G♯, B and D♯. This is where they fall on each string, from the nut to the 12th fret (fret number in parentheses):
- String 6 (E): G♯ (4) · B (7) · D♯ (11)
- String 5 (A): B (2) · D♯ (6) · G♯ (11)
- String 4 (D): D♯ (1) · G♯ (6) · B (9)
- String 3 (G): G♯ (1) · B (4) · D♯ (8)
- String 2 (B): B (0) · D♯ (4) · G♯ (9) · B (12)
- String 1 (E): G♯ (4) · B (7) · D♯ (11)
Formula and intervals of G♯ minor
Its formula is 1-♭3-5; in semitones from the root, 0-3-7.
- G♯: Root, the note that gives the chord its name
- B: Minor third (m3), 3 semitones above G♯
- D♯: Perfect fifth (P5), 7 semitones above G♯
G♯ minor on ukulele
- Ukulele (G C E A): 1-3-4-2; it sounds G♯, D♯, G♯ and B.
G♯ minor on piano
- Keys: G♯4, B4 and D♯5.
Inversions of G♯ minor
Each inversion puts a different note in the bass.
- Root position: G♯, B and D♯, with G♯ in the bass.
- First inversion (G♯m/B): B, D♯ and G♯, with B in the bass.
- Second inversion (G♯m/D♯): D♯, G♯ and B, with D♯ in the bass.
Keys that use G♯ minor
G♯ minor appears in 6 major and minor keys.
| Key | Degree | Function |
|---|---|---|
| F♯ major (6 sharps) | ii | Supertonic |
| E major (4 sharps) | iii | Mediant |
| B major (5 sharps) | vi | Submediant |
| G♯ minor (5 sharps) | i | Tonic |
| D♯ minor (6 sharps) | iv | Subdominant |
| C♯ minor (4 sharps) | v | Dominant |
Progressions with G♯ minor
- Pop progression in B major (I–V–vi–IV): B – F♯ – G♯m – E
- Pop progression starting on vi in B major (vi–IV–I–V): G♯m – E – B – F♯
- Turnaround in B major (I–vi–ii–V): B – G♯m – C♯m – F♯
- Minor cadence in G♯ minor (i–iv–V7): G♯m – C♯m – D♯7
- Minor pop progression in G♯ minor (i–VI–III–VII): G♯m – E – B – F♯
G♯ minor or A♭ minor?
G♯ minor (G♯m) and A♭ minor (A♭m) 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♭ minor in flat keys and G♯ minor in sharp keys.
Frequently asked questions
What notes are in the G♯ minor chord?
G♯, B and D♯: root, minor third and perfect fifth. Its formula is 1-♭3-5.
Which keys use G♯ minor?
Mainly as the i in G♯ minor and the vi in B major. In total it appears in 6 major and minor keys.
Is A♭ minor the same chord as G♯ minor?
Yes: A♭ minor and G♯ minor sound the same and are played the same way. It is written A♭ minor in flat keys and G♯ minor in sharp keys.
What is the relative major of G♯ minor?
B major. G♯ minor and B major are the tonic chords of two relative keys, which share the same key signature and the same scale notes.