Minor Key Chords
Let’s find all the chords for the key of G sharp minor on the piano. We can use these chords to create chord progressions and play creatively in that key. Using chords to play the piano is a wonderful way to enjoy music!
How to Find Chords for the Key of G Sharp Minor
To find chords for the key of G sharp minor, we’ll first need to build a G sharp minor scale. There are different kinds of minor scales, so we’ll start with the natural minor scale (learn how to build minor scales here).
Each natural minor scale has a relative major scale on the piano. This means these two scales use the same notes to build their scales, but start and end on different notes. G sharp natural minor is relative to B major, so since these two scales use the same notes, they also use the same chords.
Here are the notes for a G sharp natural minor scale:
G♯ – A♯ – B – C♯ – D♯ – E – F♯ – G♯
Now we’ll build a “1 – 3 – 5” chord off each note of the scale, using only the notes of the scale to build the chords.
We’ll start on G♯ and play a “1 – 3 – 5” chord, using the notes of the scale. When we do, we get: G♯ – B – D♯
Then we’ll start on A♯ and build another “1 – 3 – 5” chord, using only the notes of the scale. When we do, we get: A♯ – C♯ – E
Next we’ll start on B, and build another “1 – 3 – 5” chord, using the notes of the scale. When we do, we get: B – D♯ – F♯
We can continue following this pattern, building a “1 – 3 – 5” chord, or “triad”, off each note of the scale, and using only the notes of the scale to build the chords.
Chords for Minor Keys Printable
Learn the chords for each minor key with this 40-page PDF! Chords are built with both the natural minor and harmonic minor scales.
Chords for the Key of G Sharp Minor
Here are the chords for the key of G sharp minor:
G♯ – B – D♯ = G♯ minor chord
A♯ – C♯ – E = A♯ diminished chord
B – D♯ – F♯ = B major chord
C♯ – E – G♯ = C♯ minor chord
D♯ – F♯ – A♯ = D♯ minor chord
E – G♯ – B = E major chord
F♯ – A♯ – C♯ = F♯ major chord
How Do We Label the Chords?
You may be wondering how we can tell the difference between major, minor or diminished chords. There are actually four types of “1 – 3 – 5” chords:
Major chords are built with the first, third and fifth notes of the matching major scale.
Minor chords are built with the first, third and fifth notes of the matching major scale, but the third note is lowered 1/2 step.
Augmented chords are built with the first, third and fifth notes of the matching major scale, but the third and fifth notes are raised 1/2 step.
Diminished chords are built with the first, third and fifth notes of the matching major scale, but the third and fifth notes are lowered 1/2 step.
When we build a “1 – 3 – 5” chord off each note of a natural minor scale, using only the notes of the scale to build the chords, we’ll always get these chord types in this order:
Minor
Diminished
Major
Minor
Minor
Major
Major
We can use this pattern to find the chords for other minor keys!
Primary Chords for G Sharp Minor
Each minor key has three “primary” chords. Primary chords are the chords used most often in that key, and they’re built off the first, fourth and fifth notes of the scale.
The primary chords for the key of G sharp minor are:
G♯ minor
C♯ minor
D♯ minor
How to Find Chords for G Sharp Minor Using the Harmonic Minor Scale
Now let’s find the chords for G sharp minor using the harmonic minor scale. Harmonic minor scales are similar to natural minor scales, except the seventh note is raised 1/2 step.
Here are the notes for a G sharp harmonic minor scale:
G♯ – A♯ – B – C♯ – D♯ – E – F♯♯ – G♯
The reason one of the notes is labeled “F double-sharp” instead of “G” is because the notes of a scale must progress in alphabetical order.
Now we’ll build a “1 – 3 – 5” chord off each note of the harmonic minor scale, using only the notes of the scale to build the chords as before.
Chords for G Sharp Minor Using the Harmonic Minor Scale
Here are the chords for G sharp minor using the harmonic minor scale:
G♯ – B – D♯ = G♯ minor chord
A♯ – C♯ – E = A♯ diminished chord
B – D♯ – F♯♯ = B augmented chord
C♯ – E – G♯ = C♯ minor chord
D♯ – F♯♯ – A♯ = D♯ major chord
E – G♯ – B = E major chord
F♯♯ – A♯ – C♯ = F♯♯ diminished chord
Labeling the Chords
When we build a “1 – 3 – 5” chord off each note of a harmonic minor scale, using only the notes of the scale to build the chords, we’ll always get these chord types in this order:
Minor
Diminished
Augmented
Minor
Major
Major
Diminished
Primary Chords for G Sharp Minor Using the Harmonic Minor Scale
The primary chords for G sharp minor based on the harmonic minor scale are:
G♯ minor
C♯ minor
D♯ major
When we use the harmonic minor scale instead of the natural minor scale to build the chords, the third primary chord becomes major instead of minor, adding some nice variety to the music.
Conclusion
Now you know how to find chords for the key of G sharp minor, and you can use those chords to create chord progressions and play creatively in that key!
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