G♯ Harmonic Major at a glance
Harmonic major is a modern jazz favourite - mixes the brightness of major with the colour of a flat sixth. Also shows up in film scoring and progressive metal. Built on the root G♯, the scale takes on the specific colour and pitch range of that key - making it especially useful in genres and registers where G♯ is a comfortable tonal centre.
| Notes | G♯ A♯ B♯ C♯ D♯ E F𝄪 |
|---|---|
| Formula | 1P · 2M · 3M · 4P · 5P · 6m · 7M |
| Step pattern | W W H W H W+H H |
| Chords in the key | G♯A♯°B♯mC♯mD♯E+F𝄪° |
Chords in the G♯ Harmonic Major scale
These are the chords that naturally form on each degree of the scale. Click a chord to open its dedicated page.
G♯ Harmonic Major on the piano
Improvisation drone · G♯
Loop the root note as a pad to practice improvising over this scale.
On the piano G♯ Harmonic Major uses four black keys (G♯, A♯, C♯ and D♯) and three white. B♯ and F𝄪 are the white keys you'd normally call C and G.
G♯ · A♯ · B♯ · C♯ · D♯ · E · F𝄪
Play G♯ Harmonic Major on the online piano
Free, in your browser: play with the mouse, your computer keyboard or a USB MIDI keyboard. No sign-up.
G♯ Harmonic Major on the guitar
G♯ Harmonic Major - fr 0–12
G♯ Harmonic Major on the staff
Notes of the G♯ Harmonic Major scale
| Degree | Note | Interval | Semitones | Hear |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | G♯ | unison1P | 0 | |
| 2 | A♯ | major 2nd2M | 2 | |
| 3 | B♯ | major 3rd3M | 4 | |
| 4 | C♯ | perfect 4th4P | 5 | |
| 5 | D♯ | perfect 5th5P | 7 | |
| 6 | E | minor 6th6m | 8 | |
| 7 | F𝄪 | major 7th7M | 11 |
What makes G♯ Harmonic Major different
Harmonic major is the major scale with a lowered sixth, the one note that separates it from major. The ♭6 opens an augmented second between the sixth and seventh degrees, the same gap harmonic minor has, but over a major tonic. It changes the subdominant: the iv chord is minor while V stays major, so the minor iv to I cadence is built into the scale. Its ♭VI chord is augmented. On G♯, G♯ Harmonic Major has E where G♯ Major has E♯; every other note is shared with G♯ Major (G♯ A♯ B♯ C♯ D♯ E♯ F𝄪).
How to use the G♯ Harmonic Major scale
The diatonic chords of G♯ Harmonic Major are: I = G♯, ii° = A♯°, iii = B♯m, iv = C♯m, V = D♯, VI+ = E+, vii° = F𝄪°. These seven chords belong naturally to the key and are the safest harmonic vocabulary when writing songs in G♯ Harmonic Major. Each one in the chord table on this page opens its own diagram and progressions.
Harmonic major is a modern jazz favourite - mixes the brightness of major with the colour of a flat sixth. Also shows up in film scoring and progressive metal.
Practice tips
Highlight the flat sixth over a major triad - it's the only note that distinguishes harmonic major from the standard major scale.
Formula & step pattern
The G♯ Harmonic Major scale follows a major scale with a flat sixth degree, blending major brightness with minor color. Step pattern: W - W - H - W - H - W+H - H. Intervals from the root: 1P · 2M · 3M · 4P · 5P · 6m · 7M. Memorising the formula lets you transpose the scale to any other root note quickly.
Where you will hear G♯ Harmonic Major
Start with the music described above: listen for G♯ Harmonic Major in it and transcribe a few short phrases by ear. It's the quickest way to learn how the scale sounds.
Questions people ask
What notes are in the G♯ Harmonic Major scale?
The G♯ Harmonic Major scale contains G♯, A♯, B♯, C♯, D♯, E and F𝄪.
What is the formula for the G♯ Harmonic Major scale?
G♯ Harmonic Major follows a major scale with a flat sixth degree, blending major brightness with minor color.
Is G♯ Harmonic Major a major or minor scale?
G♯ Harmonic Major is a harmonic major scale. Major scale with a flat sixth - bright tonic with a darker undertone, popular in modern jazz.
What chords belong to the G♯ Harmonic Major scale?
The diatonic chords of G♯ Harmonic Major are G♯, A♯°, B♯m, C♯m, D♯, E+, F𝄪°.
Which genres use G♯ Harmonic Major?
Harmonic major is a modern jazz favourite - mixes the brightness of major with the colour of a flat sixth. Also shows up in film scoring and progressive metal.
How do you play the G♯ Harmonic Major scale on the piano?
On the piano G♯ Harmonic Major uses four black keys (G♯, A♯, C♯ and D♯) and three white. B♯ and F𝄪 are the white keys you'd normally call C and G.
What is the difference between G♯ Harmonic Major and G♯ Major?
On G♯, G♯ Harmonic Major has E where G♯ Major has E♯; every other note is shared with G♯ Major (G♯ A♯ B♯ C♯ D♯ E♯ F𝄪).
How do I practise the G♯ Harmonic Major scale?
Highlight the flat sixth over a major triad - it's the only note that distinguishes harmonic major from the standard major scale.