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G-sharp Major Chord
The G-sharp Major Chord is G-sharp, B-sharp, and D-sharp. The B-sharp is the white key C, so the chord is black-white-black. It's the same set of keys as A-flat major, and under the hand it sits comfortably, with the thumb and fifth finger on black keys.
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 1st 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 2nd 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.
Other chords built on G-sharp
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