G♯ minor scale on guitar
The G♯ minor scale has 7 notes: G♯, A♯, B, C♯, D♯, E and F♯. The natural minor scale (also called the Aeolian mode) lowers the 3rd, 6th and 7th of the major scale. It gives minor keys their darker, more serious colour.
Notes in G♯ minor
- Formula
- 1 2 ♭3 4 5 ♭6 ♭7
- Step pattern
- W – H – W – W – H – W – W
- Notes
- 7
Tap a note to hear it.
G♯ minor across the neck
Every G♯ minor note on the first 12 frets in standard tuning. Filled dots are the root, G♯. A good place to start: G♯ on the low E string is at fret 4, so play the notes between frets 3 and 7 first, then move up the neck.
Intervals
| Degree | Note | Interval from G♯ |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | G♯ | Root |
| 2 | A♯ | Major 2nd |
| ♭3 | B | Minor 3rd |
| 4 | C♯ | Perfect 4th |
| 5 | D♯ | Perfect 5th |
| ♭6 | E | Minor 6th |
| ♭7 | F♯ | Minor 7th |
Chords in G♯ minor
Stack every other note of the scale and you get these triads. Any of them will sound “at home” with the G♯ minor scale.
H = half step (1 fret), W = whole step (2 frets). Roman numerals: uppercase is major, lowercase is minor, ° is diminished, + is augmented.
Related scales
- Its relative major is B major: the same seven notes, starting from the ♭3rd.
- Drop the 2nd and ♭6th and you get G♯ minor pentatonic. Raise the 7th for G♯ harmonic minor, or the 6th for G♯ Dorian.
Questions
What notes are in the G♯ minor scale?
G♯, A♯, B, C♯, D♯, E, F♯. Its formula is 1 2 ♭3 4 5 ♭6 ♭7.
Where do I start the G♯ minor scale on guitar?
G♯ on the low E string is at fret 4, so play the notes between frets 3 and 7 first. The fretboard map on this page shows every G♯ minor note on the first 12 frets.
What scales are related to G♯ minor?
Its relative major is B major: the same seven notes, starting from the ♭3rd.
More scales
Minor in every key
Other scales from G♯