About the G sharp Major scale
G sharp Major is used for anthems, pop hooks, hymns and anything that should feel uplifting and stable. Think of it as the bright, resolved, "happy" sound that anchors most pop, folk and classical music. It is G♯ Lydian with the fourth lowered.
Its notes are G♯, A♯, B♯, C♯, D♯, E♯, and F♯♯. The formula is W W H W W W H.
Also called the Ionian mode, Diatonic Major, and Bilawal.
On the piano, G♯ Major touches the black keys G♯, A♯, C♯, and D♯.
Chords in the key of G sharp Major
Expand a chord to see how to play it.
I G sharp
G sharp over B sharp (1st inversion)
ii A sharp minor
A sharp minor over C sharp (1st inversion)
iii B sharp minor
B sharp minor over D sharp (1st inversion)
IV C sharp
C sharp over E sharp (1st inversion)
V D sharp
D sharp over F double sharp (1st inversion)
vi E sharp minor
E sharp minor over G sharp (1st inversion)
vii° F double sharp diminished
F double sharp diminished over A sharp (1st inversion)
Seventh chords in G sharp Major
The four-note version of each chord, richer and jazzier.
I G sharp major seven
G sharp major seven
ii A sharp minor seven
A sharp minor seven
iii B sharp minor seven
B sharp minor seven
IV C sharp major seven
C sharp major seven
V D sharp seven
D sharp seven
vi E sharp minor seven
E sharp minor seven
vii° F double sharp minor seven flat five
F double sharp minor seven flat five
Progressions in G sharp Major
Tap any chord to hear it, or play the whole progression.
Notes and intervals
| 1 | G#G♯ | Root |
|---|---|---|
| 2 | A#A♯ | Major 2nd |
| 3 | B#B♯ | Major 3rd |
| 4 | C#C♯ | Perfect 4th |
| 5 | D#D♯ | Perfect 5th |
| 6 | E#E♯ | Major 6th |
| 7 | F##F♯♯ | Major 7th |
| Steps | W W H W W W H |
|---|---|
| Semitones | 2-2-1-2-2-2-1 |
| Degrees | 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 |
Fingering
Standard fingering
| Hand | G sharp | A sharp | B sharp | C sharp | D sharp | E sharp | F double sharp | G sharp |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Right hand | 3 | 4 | 1 | 2 | 3 | 1 | 2 | 3 |
| Left hand | 3 | 2 | 1 | 4 | 3 | 2 | 1 | 3 |
Practicing it
The right thumb tucks under to play B♯ and E♯. B♯ and F♯♯ are the left hand's thumb notes. The long fingers cover the black keys G♯, A♯, C♯, and D♯, and the fourth finger anchors the shape on A♯, and the hand sits forward on the keyboard to keep them there.
Shapes
Chromatic
Circle of Fifths
Related scales
Major in other keys
Modes
The same notes, starting on a different note.