G♯ Minor Scale (G#)
The G# minor scale (also called G# natural minor or G# Aeolian) contains G# – A# – B – C# – D# – E – F#. Its key signature has 5 sharps: F#, C#, G#, D# and A#. It uses the same piano keys as Ab minor, spelled Ab – Bb – Cb – Db – Eb – Fb – Gb (7 flats).
| Note | G# | A# | B | C# | D# | E | F# | G# |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Right hand | 3 | 4 | 1 | 2 | 3 | 1 | 2 | 3 |
| Left hand | 3 | 2 | 1 | 3 | 2 | 1 | 4 | 3 |
Piano fingering for one octave going up; 1 is the thumb. Coming down, play the same fingers in reverse.
G# minor scale fingering
Right hand, going up: the thumb tucks under to B and E. Left hand, going up: finger 3 crosses over the thumb to C# and finger 4 crosses over the thumb to F#. Practise each hand alone, slowly, until the turns are smooth, then play hands together.
Key signature
G# minor has 5 sharps: F#, C#, G#, D# and A#. Its relative major is B major, which uses the same notes and key signature. See the chords in the key of Ab minor and of B major.
Scale degrees
| Degree | Note | Semitones from G# |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | G# | 0 |
| 2 | A# | 2 |
| b3 | B | 3 |
| 4 | C# | 5 |
| 5 | D# | 7 |
| b6 | E | 8 |
| b7 | F# | 10 |
Step pattern
The Natural Minor scale is built from the pattern W – H – W – W – H – W – W (W = whole step, H = half step). Apply that pattern from any starting note and you get the same mode in a different key.
Chords in G# Natural Minor
Building a triad on each degree of the scale gives you the chords that belong to it. These are the chords to reach for when writing in G# Natural Minor.
| Degree | Numeral | Chord | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | i | G#m | G# B D# |
| 2 | ii° | A#dim | A# C# E |
| 3 | III | B | B D# F# |
| 4 | iv | C#m | C# E G# |
| 5 | v | D#m | D# F# A# |
| 6 | VI | E | E G# B |
| 7 | VII | F# | F# A# C# |
Other modes on Ab (the same keys as G#)
More scales on Ab (the same keys as G#)
Natural Minor scale in other keys
Frequently asked questions
What notes are in the G# Natural Minor scale?
The G# Natural Minor scale contains G#, A#, B, C#, D#, E, F#, then returns to G# an octave higher.
What is the fingering for the G# minor scale on piano?
Going up from G# to G#, the right hand plays 3 4 1 2 3 1 2 3 and the left hand plays 3 2 1 3 2 1 4 3, where 1 is the thumb. Coming down, use the same fingers in reverse.
How many sharps are in G# minor?
G# minor has 5 sharps: F#, C#, G#, D# and A#.
What is the step pattern of the Natural Minor scale?
The Natural Minor scale follows the whole/half step pattern W – H – W – W – H – W – W, where W is a whole step (two semitones) and H is a half step (one semitone).
Which chords work with the G# Natural Minor scale?
The diatonic chords are G#m, A#dim, B, C#m, D#m, E, F#. Each is built only from notes of the G# Natural Minor scale, so they all belong to the same tonality — though the diminished chord carries a tritone and normally wants to resolve.