G Sharp Minor: Scale, Chords and Progressions

Chords in the key of G sharp minor

The key of G sharp minor has 5 sharps in the key signature (F♯, C♯, G♯, D♯, A♯). Its scale is G♯ – A♯ – B – C♯ – D♯ – E – F♯ and its seven chords are G♯m, A♯dim, B, C♯m, D♯m, E and F♯. The most common progression is G♯m – E – B – F♯. Its relative key is B major. With a capo on fret 4, you can play it with the shapes of E minor.

The chords in the key

G♯m is home and C♯m darkens it. The natural fifth chord, D♯m, resolves softly; swap it for D♯7 and it pulls hard towards G♯m. The four-note versions add the seventh.

Degree	Chord	Notes	Role	With seventh
i	G♯m	G♯ – B – D♯	Tonic: home	G♯m7
ii°	A♯dim	A♯ – C♯ – E	Subdominant	—
III	B	B – D♯ – F♯	Relative major	Bmaj7
iv	C♯m	C♯ – E – G♯	Subdominant	C♯m7
v	D♯m	D♯ – F♯ – A♯	Minor dominant	D♯m7
VI	E	E – G♯ – B	Subdominant (epic colour)	Emaj7
VII	F♯	F♯ – A♯ – C♯	Subtonic	F♯7

Scale

G♯ – A♯ – B – C♯ – D♯ – E – F♯

With a capo

To make a song sound in G sharp minor with easy open shapes:

Capo on fret 4: play the shapes of E minor
Capo on fret 6: play the shapes of D minor

Common progressions

Loop them in the chord player and use them as the base of a song.

G♯m – E – B – F♯ i – bVI – bIII – bVII Play in the chord player
G♯m – C♯m – D♯m – G♯m i – iv – v – i Play in the chord player
G♯m – F♯ – E – D♯ i – bVII – bVI – V Play in the chord player
G♯m – C♯m – D♯7 – G♯m i – iv – V7 – i Play in the chord player

Frequently asked questions

What chords are in the key of G sharp minor?

Its seven chords are G♯m, A♯dim, B, C♯m, D♯m, E and F♯.

How many sharps or flats does G sharp minor have?

It has 5 sharps in the key signature (F♯, C♯, G♯, D♯, A♯).

What is the relative key of G sharp minor?

Its relative key is B major: they share the same notes and chords.