Notes and intervals of G♯ minor
- G♯1 · root
- B♭3 · minor third
- D♯5 · perfect fifth
It shows up in ballads, boleros, pasillos and almost all popular music; in a major key it's usually the relative chord or the second degree.
Progressions with G♯m
Minor with a dominant: i – iv – V7 – i
The V7 comes from the harmonic minor scale and is typical of boleros, pasillos and ballads.
Modern minor: i – VI – III – VII
A very common progression in pop and rock, in G♯ natural minor.
Which keys contain G♯ minor?
G♯m belongs to 6 keys: in each one it plays a different role depending on the degree (the Roman numeral).
| Key | Degree |
|---|---|
| E major | iii |
| F♯ major | ii |
| B major | vi |
| C♯ natural minor | v |
| D♯ natural minor | iv |
| G♯ natural minor | i |
Frequently asked questions
What notes are in the G-sharp minor chord?
G♯ minor (G♯m) has 3 notes: G♯ (root), B (minor third), D♯ (perfect fifth).
How do you play G♯ minor on guitar?
The most common shape uses a barre at fret 4: 4 6 6 4 4 4 (from the 6th to the 1st string). Barre fret 4 with your index finger, from the 6th to the 1st string. Finger 3 (ring finger) on fret 6 of the 5th string (A). Finger 4 (pinky) on fret 6 of the 4th string (D).
Is G♯m the same as A♭m?
Yes: G♯ minor and A♭ minor sound the same and are played the same way (they are enharmonic). The spelling depends on the key of the song; you'll see both names in sheet music and songbooks.
What is the difference between G♯ minor and A♭ major?
Only the third changes: G♯ minor uses B and A♭ major uses C. That note is what makes the chord sound darker (minor) or brighter (major).
How do you write G-sharp minor as a chord symbol?
It is written G♯m; you may also see G♯min or G♯-. Chord symbols use letter names for notes: C, D, E, F, G, A, and B.