stringery

G♯ minor

Natural minor, also called aeolian. Minor family

Sad, serious, the classic minor sound.

Root position4 of 5

571012

Square: the root. In colour: the flat 6th, the note that gives this scale its sound.

Built from

  1. G♯RW
  2. A♯2H
  3. B♭3W
  4. C♯4W
  5. D♯5H
  6. E♭6W
  7. F♯♭7W

The flat 3rd makes it minor, and the flat 6th is what makes it sound sad rather than just dark.

Between the notes: W is a whole step (2 frets), H a half step (1 fret), and 1½ a step and a half (3 frets).

On the whole neckG♯ minor

12345GCEA571012R2♭345♭6♭745♭6♭7R2♭3♭6♭7R2♭345♭62♭345♭6♭7R
12345GCEA571012R2♭345♭6♭745♭6♭7R2♭3♭6♭7R2♭345♭62♭345♭6♭7R

Position 4 is outlined, frets 8 to 11. Pick another window to move there.

Ring the notes of a chord

Chords in this scale

The G♯ minor key

Build a chord on every note of the scale and you get these seven. Songs in this key mostly use them.

  1. G♯mi
  2. A♯dimii°
  3. BIII
  4. C♯miv
  5. D♯mv
  6. EVI
  7. F♯VII

Its neighbours on the circle of fifths Capo and transpose

Play it over

Chords this scale sounds good over, most natural first.

Same notes, different home

  • B major

    Same notes, but home is B: bright, familiar, resolved.

  • C♯ dorian

    Same notes, but home is C♯: minor but hopeful. cool and groovy.

  • F♯ mixolydian

    Same notes, but home is F♯: major and laid-back, with swagger.

  • E lydian

    Same notes, but home is E: floating, magical, wide-eyed.

  • E♭ phrygian

    Same notes, but home is E♭: dark, spanish, menacing.