i-♭VI-♭VII-i (Andalusian Rock)
i · ♭VI · ♭VII · i
Aeolian rock pattern; metal anthem flavor.
Key of G# Minor
The Key of G♯ Minor
The chords in the key of G♯ minor are G♯m, A♯dim, B, C♯m, D♯m, E and F♯.
Relative minor of B major, five sharps deep.
Below: all seven diatonic chords with guitar shapes and audio, the scale, the key signature (F♯ · C♯ · G♯ · D♯ · A♯), 5 progressions already transposed into this key, and the keys next door.
Diatonic chords
The 7 chords in the key of G♯ minor
Each degree of the G♯ minor scale carries one chord. Roman numerals show the degree; the function column tells you what the chord does. Every name links to its full chord page — press play to hear it on guitar.
| Degree | Function | Chord | Guitar shape | Hear it |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| i | TonicTonicHome — rests | G♯mG♯ · B · D♯ | ||
| ii° | SubdominantSupertonicDeparts — sets up the V | A♯dimB♭ · D♭ · F♭spelled A♯dim in G# minor · the chord page is B♭ Diminished | ||
| III | TonicMediantHome — rests | BB · D♯ · F♯ | ||
| iv | SubdominantSubdominantDeparts — sets up the V | C♯mC♯ · E · G♯ | ||
| v | DominantDominantPulls back to I | D♯mE♭ · G♭ · B♭spelled D♯m in G# minor · the chord page is E♭ Minor | ||
| VI | TonicSubmediantHome — rests | EE · G♯ · B | ||
| VII | DominantSubtonicPulls back to I | F♯F♯ · A♯ · C♯ |
Want the same chords on another instrument? Every chord page carries piano, ukulele, bass, mandolin and banjo shapes — start with piano.
Character
Why songs live in G♯ minor
G# minor is rarely played as written on guitar; a capo at the fourth fret with Em shapes gets you there with open strings intact. Its flat-spelled twin, Ab minor, sounds identical and shows up in flat-side scores. On piano the five sharps sit comfortably once the hand shape settles.
Scale
The G♯ minor scale
Seven notes, in order from the tonic. Tap any note to hear it, or play the whole scale ascending.
This spelling has no separate scale page — the identical pitches are catalogued under Ab Natural Minor (Aeolian).
Key signature
The G♯ minor key signature
F♯ · C♯ · G♯ · D♯ · A♯
G♯ minor is written with 5 sharps. Every F, C, G, D and A in the music is played sharp unless an accidental says otherwise. Its relative major, B major, shares this signature exactly.
Progressions
Chord progressions in G♯ minor
The most-used progressions, already transposed into G♯ minor. Every chord links to its own page; the progression name opens the full breakdown.
ii°-V-i (Minor ii-V-i)
iiø · V · i
The minor-key version of ii-V-I.
i-♭VII-♭VI-V (Andalusian)
i · ♭VII · ♭VI · V
Flamenco / Phrygian descent; minor with major V.
i-iv-V (Minor Three Chord)
i · iv · V
Minor three-chord with major V.
i-♭VI-♭VII (Aeolian Loop)
i · ♭VI · ♭VII
Aeolian rock loop.
FAQ
Questions about the key of G♯ minor
- What chords are in the key of G# minor?
- The key of G# minor contains seven diatonic chords: G#m (i), A#dim (ii°), B (III), C#m (iv), D#m (v), E (VI), F# (VII). Most songs in G# minor lean on G#m, C#m and D#m — the tonic, subdominant and dominant.
- What is the relative major of G# minor?
- B major is the relative major of G# minor. Both keys share the same key signature (5 sharps) and exactly the same seven notes — B major simply treats B as home instead of G#, which is why you can borrow chords freely between them.
- What are the easiest chords in G# minor to play on guitar?
- E is the one open shape in G# minor — no barre required. The rest of the diatonic chords need a barre or a movable grip, so many players capo instead and use familiar open shapes from an easier key.
Learn the theory
Read up on G♯ minor
This page is the reference. These are the guides that explain how a key works in the first place — read one and the table above stops needing to be looked up.