G-sharp Major Chord

How to play the G-sharp Major Chord on the piano

Let’s go through some charts that will familiarize you with the G-sharp Major Chord and how to play it in the various forms you will encounter in pieces of music. First, we’ll look at the fundamental chord and its inversions; then, we’ll explore some more complex voicings.

The G-sharp Major Chord in root position

In root position, the notes of the G♯ major chord are stacked in thirds with G♯ on the bottom. The appearance on the staff is evenly spaced, as is the feeling of the space in between your fingers while playing.

G-sharp Major Chord in root position
Note Order	G♯ B♯ D♯
Left Hand Fingering	5 3 1
Right Hand Fingering	1 3 5
Chord Symbol	G♯

The G-sharp Major Chord in first inversion

In first inversion, the third of the chord (B♯) becomes the bottom note, and the root (G♯) jumps up to the top.

G-sharp Major Chord in 1^st inversion
Note Order	B♯ D♯ G♯
Left Hand Fingering	5 3 1
Right Hand Fingering	1 2 5
Chord Symbol	G♯⁶ or G♯/B♯

The G-sharp Major Chord in second inversion

In second inversion, the fifth of the chord (D♯) is on the bottom, and the third of the chord (B♯) goes to the top.

G-sharp Major Chord in 2^nd inversion
Note Order	D♯ G♯ B♯
Left Hand Fingering	5 2 1
Right Hand Fingering	1 3 5
Chord Symbol	G♯^6/4 or G♯/D♯

G-sharp Major Chord theory and function

A major chord is the most settled sound in tonal music. What it does depends on the key around it: it can be home, it can lead away from home, or it can pull back toward it.

The G♯ major chord is the dominant (V) in C♯ minor. On the keyboard this is the same chord as A♭ major, and the spelling follows the key. The A♭ major chord is the tonic (I) in A♭ major, the dominant (V) in D♭ major, and the subdominant (IV) in E♭ major. In minor keys, it is the mediant (III) in F minor, the submediant (VI) in C minor, and the subtonic (VII) in B♭ minor.

Three chords, I, IV, and V, account for a great deal of the hymns, folk songs, and early classical pieces a student will meet. In A♭ major that is A♭ – D♭ – E♭ – A♭. Try listening for the job the chord is doing: after the dominant it sounds like arriving, and after the tonic it sounds like stepping away.