The key of G♯ minor has 5 sharps (F♯, C♯, G♯, D♯, A♯). The notes of the scale are G♯, A♯, B, C♯, D♯, E, F♯ and its diatonic chords are G#m, A#°, B, C#m, D#m, E, F#.
G♯ minor scale
Natural minor scale: G♯ · A♯ · B · C♯ · D♯ · E · F♯ · G♯
Harmonic minor (7th degree raised a half step): G♯ · A♯ · B · C♯ · D♯ · E · F𝄪 · G♯
Melodic minor (6th and 7th raised, going up): G♯ · A♯ · B · C♯ · D♯ · E♯ · F𝄪 · G♯
The chords (triads)
| Degree | Symbol | Notes | |
|---|---|---|---|
| i | G#m | G♯ B D♯ | |
| ii° | A#° | A♯ C♯ E | |
| III | B | B D♯ F♯ | |
| iv | C#m | C♯ E G♯ | |
| v | D#m | D♯ F♯ A♯ | |
| VI | E | E G♯ B | |
| VII | F# | F♯ A♯ C♯ | |
| V | D# | D♯ F𝄪 A♯ |
In practice, minor keys almost always use D# (a major chord, from the harmonic minor scale) as the dominant, because it pulls strongly to G#m.
Seventh chords
| Degree | Symbol | Notes | |
|---|---|---|---|
| i | G#m7 | G♯ B D♯ F♯ | |
| ii° | A#m7(b5) | A♯ C♯ E G♯ | |
| III | B7M | B D♯ F♯ A♯ | |
| iv | C#m7 | C♯ E G♯ B | |
| v | D#m7 | D♯ F♯ A♯ C♯ | |
| VI | E7M | E G♯ B D♯ | |
| VII | F#7 | F♯ A♯ C♯ E | |
| V7 | D#7 | D♯ F𝄪 A♯ C♯ |
Common progressions in G♯ minor
- G#m – C#m – D# – G#m (i – iv – V – i)
- G#m – E – B – F# (i – VI – III – VII)
- A#° – D# – G#m (ii° – V – i)
- G#m – F# – E – D# (i – VII – VI – V)
Relative key
The relative major of G♯ minor is B major: same notes, starting from B.
Chords in other keys
Major keys: C major · G major · D major · A major · E major · B major · F♯ major · G♭ major · D♭ major · A♭ major · E♭ major · B♭ major · F major
Minor keys: A minor · E minor · B minor · F♯ minor · C♯ minor · G♯ minor · E♭ minor · B♭ minor · F minor · C minor · G minor · D minor
Learn how it works in diatonic chords: the complete guide and practice the scales in the app with your microphone.
Frequently asked questions
What chords are in the key of G♯ minor?
In the natural minor: G#m, A#°, B, C#m, D#m, E, F#. In practice the major D# is also used as the dominant.
What is the difference between natural, harmonic and melodic minor?
Harmonic minor raises the 7th a half step (F𝄪); melodic minor raises the 6th and 7th (E♯ and F𝄪) going up.
What is the relative major of G♯ minor?
B major, which uses the same notes.