G# minor chords, relative major and Camelot code (1A)
G♯ minor has 5 sharps (F♯, C♯, G♯, D♯, A♯). Its chords are G♯m, A♯°, B, C♯m, D♯m, E and F♯. The relative major is B major and the Camelot code is 1A, so it mixes cleanly with 12A, 2A and 1B.
Notes in the G♯ minor scale
G♯ minor has 5 sharps (F♯, C♯, G♯, D♯, A♯). It sounds identical to A♭ minor, which is the same set of pitches spelled differently; G♯ minor is the usual spelling.
| 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | 5 | 6 | 7 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| G♯ | A♯ | B | C♯ | D♯ | E | F♯ |
Chords in G♯ minor
Stack every other note of the scale on each degree and you get the seven chords that belong to the key:
| Degree | Chord | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| i | G♯m | G♯ · B · D♯ |
| ii° | A♯° | A♯ · C♯ · E |
| III | B | B · D♯ · F♯ |
| iv | C♯m | C♯ · E · G♯ |
| v | D♯m | D♯ · F♯ · A♯ |
| VI | E | E · G♯ · B |
| VII | F♯ | F♯ · A♯ · C♯ |
In practice most songs in G♯ minor swap the minor v for D♯. Raising the seventh note (F♯ to F𝄪) gives a leading note that pulls back to G♯, so D♯ to G♯m sounds like arriving home.
Common progressions in G♯ minor
- G♯m – E – B – F♯ (i–VI–III–VII): the minor-key pop and trap loop.
- G♯m – C♯m – D♯m (i–iv–v): the plain minor blues shape.
- G♯m – F♯ – E – D♯ (i–VII–VI–V): the descending Andalusian cadence, with a major V.
- G♯m – C♯m – F♯ – B (i–iv–VII–III): a common lo-fi and R&B cycle.
Keys that mix with G♯ minor
G♯ minor is 1A on the Camelot wheel. For a clean blend, go to a key next to it:
| Camelot | Key | Why it works |
|---|---|---|
| 12A | C♯ minor | One step round the wheel: shares six of its seven notes |
| 2A | E♭ minor | One step the other way: also shares six of seven notes |
| 1B | B major | The relative major: exactly the same notes |
How the wheel works is in the Camelot wheel explained, and how to use it in a set is in harmonic mixing for DJs.
Relative and parallel keys
The relative major, B major, uses exactly the same notes with a different home chord. The parallel major, A♭ major, keeps G♯ as home but changes three notes. More on the difference in relative major and minor keys.
Questions people ask
What chords are in G♯ minor?
G♯m (i), A♯° (ii°), B (III), C♯m (iv), D♯m (v), E (VI) and F♯ (VII).
What is the relative major of G♯ minor?
B major. It uses the same 7 notes, G♯, A♯, B, C♯, D♯, E, F♯, but centres on B instead of G♯.
What is the Camelot code for G♯ minor?
1A. In Open Key notation it is 6m.
What keys mix well with G♯ minor?
C♯ minor (12A), E♭ minor (2A) and B major (1B). They sit next to 1A on the Camelot wheel.
How many sharps or flats does G♯ minor have?
5 sharps (F♯, C♯, G♯, D♯, A♯).