G# Harmonic Minor Scale
G sharp harmonic minor runs G sharp, A sharp, B, C sharp, D sharp, E, F double sharp and back to G sharp. The last written name looks unusual, but its sound is simple: F double sharp uses the piano key labeled G, immediately below G sharp.
- Notes: G sharp-A sharp-B-C sharp-D sharp-E-F double sharp
- Raised seventh: F double sharp
- Key signature: five sharps
Why a double sharp?
G sharp natural minor has F sharp as its seventh. Raising F sharp by one semitone gives F double sharp. A double sharp raises a letter by two semitones from its natural pitch. On the keyboard it coincides with G natural, but the written F tells you which degree was changed.
The span from E to F double sharp is three semitones. Play D sharp-E-F double sharp-G sharp slowly; listen for the large gap followed by the half step home.
Which chord changes?
The natural-minor fifth chord is D sharp-F sharp-A sharp, or D sharp minor. Raising F sharp to F double sharp gives D sharp-F double sharp-A sharp, or D sharp major. Add C sharp for D sharp7. Play D sharp minor-G sharp minor, then D sharp7-G sharp minor. The F double sharp can rise to G sharp in the second pair.
The key signature remains that of G sharp minor: five sharps. The extra raising of F is written beside a note as a double-sharp accidental when needed. Music in G sharp minor can use both F sharp and F double sharp.
Try writing before playing
Write G-A-B-C-D-E-F once, then add the accidentals from the note list above. Play the resulting scale. This separates the logical spelling from the piano labels, which show only one of several possible names for each key.