The G sharp Minor scale is a 7 note scale that uses the following notes:
G#, A#, B, C#, D#, E, F#
The scale is usually written as starting and ending on G sharp and it can be repeating at higher or lower octaves. G Sharp Minor is a diatonic scale, which means that it is in a key, in this case the key of G Sharp Minor!
The Natural Minor Scale
There are three types of minor scale: the natural minor, harmonic minor and melodic minor. In this post we will stick to G Sharp Minor Scale, but you learn about G Sharp Harmonic Minor and G Sharp Melodic Minor in our other articles.
How is the G sharp Minor scale created?
All Natural Minor scales follow a specific pattern of tones and semitones (steps and half steps). The tone pattern is:
Tone, Semitone, Tone, Tone, Semitone, Tone, Tone
If we take the start at a C and follow the pattern we will get the C Natural Minor Scale. To create the G sharp Minor scale, follow the tone/semitone pattern starting on the note G#.
Whichever note you start on, you will always achieve the minor scale starting on this note.
G Sharp Minor Scale on the Piano
As you can see, if we were to play this scale on the piano diagram we use five black keys.
To play this scale on the piano use the fingers written below.
G sharp Minor Scale on the Guitar
To play the G sharp Minor scale on the guitar use the tab below.
Degrees of the Scale: G Sharp Minor
Each note in the G sharp Minor scale has a position that we call the degree of the scale. The first note of the scale is called the ‘tonic’ note.
Key Signature for G Sharp Minor
Rather than writing the sharp signs on the individual notes, we can now make use of the key signature. G sharp Minor is the relative minor of B Major. You can work this out because G# is the sixth note of B Major.
This means that they both share the same key signature and have 5 sharps: F#, C#, G#, D# and A#.
Here is the scale written out with the key signature.
G sharp Minor Scale in Different Clefs
Treble Clef
Below is the G sharp Minor Scale written out in the treble clef, both ascending and descending.
Bass Clef
Below is the G sharp Minor Scale written out in the bass clef, both ascending and descending.
Alto Clef
Below is the G sharp Minor Scale written out in the alto clef, both ascending and descending.
Tenor Clef
Below is the G sharp Minor Scale written out in the tenor clef, both ascending and descending.
What is the Relative Major of G Sharp Minor
As you can see from the circle of fifths diagram G sharp Minor is the relative minor of B Major. Or to say it another way: B Major is the relative major of G sharp Minor. This means that B Major and G sharp Minor share the same key signature and have 5 sharps (F#, C#, G#, D#, A#)
Remember that both scales are identical except for the fact that G sharp Minor starts on ‘G#’ and B Major starts on a ‘B’.
What are the chords in the G Sharp Minor scale?
There are chords starting on each note of the A Minor Scale. To learn more, see our dedicated post on G Sharp Minor Chords.
What do we mean when we say a piece is ‘in the key of G Sharp Minor’?
If we say that a piece of music is in the key of G sharp Minor, this means a few things:
- The key signature will have no sharps or flats as the relative major is B major.
- The tonic (or root note) of the piece will be G sharp. This note will sound the most stable in the whole piece.
- The piece will mostly use notes from this scale, these could be in any octave.
- The chords used will be those chords that are in G sharp Minor.
What’s next….
- Learn more about the different types of minor scales with our complete guide.
- Learn about the circle of fifths and how it can help you better understand music theory.
