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G♯ minor (G♯m) on guitar

The G♯ minor scale consists of the notes G♯ – A♯ – B – C♯ – D♯ – E – F♯ and has 5 sharps. Below you can see every usable note on the neck up to fret 15.

G♯ minorNatural minor scale

♪ Click a note on the fretboard to hear its sound.

E
B
G
D
A
E
0123•45•67•89•101112••131415•
Root noteOther notes
Click a note to hear it · frets 0–15

Chords in G♯ minor

Common progression: G♯m – E – B – F♯ (i–VI–III–VII).

Quick overview

Root note
G♯
Mode
minor
Key signature
5 sharps
Pentatonic
G♯ B C♯ D♯ F♯
Relative key
B major

Well-known songs in G♯ minor

  • Poker FaceLady Gaga

Key of the original recording; live versions or covers may differ.

CAGED positions

With the CAGED system you play G♯m in five positions across the whole neck. Each shape connects to the next.

  • Gm shapearound fret 1 · root on low E string, fret 4
  • Em shapearound fret 4 · root on low E string, fret 4
  • Dm shapearound fret 6 · root on D string, fret 6
  • Cm shapearound fret 8 · root on A string, fret 11
  • Am shapearound fret 11 · root on A string, fret 11

Learn G♯ minor in 5 steps

  1. Step 1

    Find the root note G♯

    Find G♯ on the low E string (fret 4) and on the A string (fret 11). Play them alternately and say the name out loud. Every pattern below hangs off these two points.

  2. Step 2

    Play the main chords

    Learn the three most important chords: G♯m (i), C♯m (iv) and D♯m (v). Switch between them at a slow tempo until you can play through without stopping.

  3. Step 3

    Learn the pentatonic in box 1

    The minor pentatonic (G♯ B C♯ D♯ F♯) is the first pattern to learn. Put your index finger around fret 4 and play two notes per string, from the low E to the high e and back.

  4. Step 4

    Extend to the full scale

    Add the two missing notes (A♯ and E) in the same position. Now you're playing all seven notes of Gis mineur: G♯ A♯ B C♯ D♯ E F♯.

  5. Step 5

    Improvise over a chord progression

    Record G♯m – E – F♯ – G♯m (or ask someone to play it) and solo over it using box 1. End your phrases on G♯ and listen to how that "coming home" sounds.

Playing G♯ minor with a capo

Go to the capo guide

Solo tips for G♯ minor

  1. Start with the minor pentatonic scale (G♯ B C♯ D♯ F♯). The best-known "box" pattern starts on the root G♯ on the low E string, fret 4.
  2. End your phrases on the root G♯ for a resolved feeling, or on the third B and fifth D♯ for tension.
  3. Add the blue note D as a passing note for a bluesy sound — don't linger on it too long.
  4. Over the D♯m chord (the v) deliberately play the notes of that chord to make the chord changes audible.
  5. Want a more classical, "Spanish" sound? Raise the 7th degree to F♯♯ (harmonic minor), especially over the V chord.

Frequently asked questions about G♯ minor

Which notes are in Gis mineur?

Gis mineur (G♯m) consists of the notes G♯, A♯, B, C♯, D♯, E, F♯. The key signature has 5 sharps.

Which chords fit Gis mineur?

The diatonic chords in Gis mineur are G♯m, A♯dim, B, C♯m, D♯m, E, F♯. You can freely combine them; they all sound good within the key.

What is the relative key of Gis mineur?

The relative key is B major. It uses exactly the same notes and key signature, just with a different tonal centre.

Which pentatonic scale do you use in Gis mineur?

Use the minor pentatonic scale: G♯, B, C♯, D♯, F♯. It avoids the "tricky" half-step intervals and almost always sounds good.

How do I find G♯ on the guitar neck?

You'll find the root G♯ on the low E string at fret 4 and on the A string at fret 11, among other places.