G♯ Harmonic Minor scale
The G♯ Harmonic Minor scale is a 7-note harmonic minor scale built on the root G♯. Its notes are G♯, A♯, B, C♯, D♯, E and F𝄪. Natural minor with a raised seventh, creating a dramatic, eastern feel. This page covers the formula, fingerings, diatonic chords and common progressions that make G♯ Harmonic Minor a great tool for improvising and composing.
Harmonic minor drives Eastern European folk, flamenco, classical music and metal. That raised seventh creates a strong pull to the tonic and gives you a dramatic, exotic feel. 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.
Formula & step pattern
The G♯ Harmonic Minor scale follows the natural minor pattern with a raised seventh, creating an augmented second between the sixth and seventh degrees. Step pattern: W - H - W - 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.
G♯ Harmonic Minor on the piano
G♯ Harmonic Minor on the guitar
G♯ Harmonic Minor on the staff
Hear the G♯ Harmonic Minor scale
Improvisation drone
Loop the root note as a pad to practice improvising over this scale.
Notes of the G♯ Harmonic Minor scale
| Degree | Interval | Semitones | Note |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | 1P | 0 | G♯(G#) |
| 2 | 2M | 2 | A♯(A#) |
| 3 | 3m | 3 | B |
| 4 | 4P | 5 | C♯(C#) |
| 5 | 5P | 7 | D♯(D#) |
| 6 | 6m | 8 | E |
| 7 | 7M | 11 | F𝄪(F##) |
Diatonic chords of G♯ Harmonic Minor
These are the chords that naturally form on each degree of the scale. Click a chord to open its dedicated page.
How to use the G♯ Harmonic Minor scale
The diatonic chords of G♯ Harmonic Minor are: i = G♯m, ii° = A♯°, III+ = B+, 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 Minor. Click any chord below to open its full diagram and progressions.
Harmonic minor drives Eastern European folk, flamenco, classical music and metal. That raised seventh creates a strong pull to the tonic and gives you a dramatic, exotic feel.
Practice tips
Spend extra time on the augmented second between the sixth and seventh degrees - that interval is the scale’s emotional fingerprint. Drill it slowly, then in scale runs.
Famous songs
G♯ Harmonic Minor appears throughout harmonic minor drives eastern european folk, flamenco, classical music and metal. that raised seventh creates a strong pull to the tonic and gives you a dramatic, exotic feel. Listening to music in this scale and transcribing short phrases is the fastest way to absorb its sound.
Scales related to G♯ Harmonic Minor
Once you are comfortable with G♯ Harmonic Minor, explore related scales to expand your vocabulary. The scales below share notes, modes or tonal centres with G♯ Harmonic Minor and are a natural next step in your study.
Frequently asked questions
What notes are in the G♯ Harmonic Minor scale?
What is the formula for the G♯ Harmonic Minor scale?
Is G♯ Harmonic Minor a major or minor scale?
What chords belong to the G♯ Harmonic Minor scale?
Which genres use G♯ Harmonic Minor?
How do I practise the G♯ Harmonic Minor scale?
Take G♯ Harmonic Minor into your music
Build progressions, find chord voicings and improvise with confidence using our music tools.