Key

The key of G♯ minor · 5 sharps: F♯ C♯ G♯ D♯ A♯

Minor keys sound darker and more serious. Songs in minor keys usually borrow a major V chord from the harmonic minor scale for a stronger pull home.

Relative major: B major — the same notes and key signature. Scale: G♯ minor scale.

Notes in the key

G♯A♯BC♯D♯EF♯

Chords in G♯ minor

One chord on each note of the scale. Roman numerals show each chord’s position — uppercase for major, lowercase for minor.

Left-handed

i G♯m

G♯ B D♯

ii° A♯dim

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♯

Borrowed from harmonic minor

Raising the 7th note turns v into a major V (and V7) — the chord that makes minor-key songs resolve so strongly.

V D♯

D♯ F𝄪 A♯

V7 D♯7

D♯ F𝄪 A♯ C♯

vii°7 F𝄪dim7

F𝄪 A♯ C♯ E

Common progressions in G♯ minor

The epic minor progression i–VI–III–VII G♯m – E – B – F♯ The minor cadence i–iv–V–i G♯m – C♯m – D♯ – G♯m The Andalusian cadence i–VII–VI–V G♯m – F♯ – E – D♯

Circle of fifths

Each step clockwise adds a sharp (or removes a flat). Neighbors on the circle share all but one note, so G♯ minor’s closest keys are right next to it — and its relative major sits on the outer ring. Click any key to open it.