G# Minor Scale
G sharp natural minor runs G sharp, A sharp, B, C sharp, D sharp, E, F sharp and back to G sharp. Its key signature has five sharps. The final F-sharp-to-G-sharp move is a whole step.
- Notes: G sharp-A sharp-B-C sharp-D sharp-E-F sharp
- Key signature: five sharps
- Relative major: B major
What is the scale pattern?
The half steps of natural G sharp minor are A sharp-B and D sharp-E. The tonic minor chord is G sharp-B-D sharp. Play those three notes together, then try G sharp-B sharp-D sharp to hear the parallel major third change.
B major has the same seven pitches with B as its center. Its tonic chord B-D sharp-F sharp uses a different resting bass. Play both tonic chords and let each root ring before judging whether the note list sounds "major" or "minor."
Which chords use only these notes?
The seven natural-minor triads are G sharp minor, A sharp diminished, B, C sharp minor, D sharp minor, E and F sharp. Try G sharp minor-E-F sharp-G sharp minor. Then try D sharp minor-G sharp minor; its fifth chord contains D sharp-F sharp-A sharp.
A raised seventh changes that D-sharp-minor chord to D sharp major. The raised note is written F double sharp, which sounds on the piano key labeled G. It sits one key below G sharp. The spelling may look strange, but it keeps F as the seventh letter above the G-sharp tonic. Harmonic Minor explains the purpose of this change.
A targeted check
Play F sharp-G sharp, then the piano keys G-G sharp. In G sharp minor, the second pair is spelled F double sharp-G sharp. Hear the change in distance first; learn the written name second.