G♯ minor guitar chord (G#m)

How to play G#m

Finger numbers run 1 for the index to 4 for the little finger. String names are given as players say them — the low E is the thickest string (the 6th) and the high E is the thinnest (the 1st).

1. 1st finger (index) — lies flat across the 4th fret, covering all six strings
2. 3rd finger (ring) — 6th fret, A string
3. 4th finger (little) — 6th fret, D string

• Strum all six strings. Nothing is muted in this shape, so the chord should ring from the low E right through to the high E.
• Barre: 4th fret, strings 6 down to 1. Place the other fingers first and add the barre last.

Notes and intervals in G#m

G#m is built from 3 notes: G♯, B and D♯.

• G♯ — the root (R)
• B — the minor 3rd (b3)
• D♯ — the perfect 5th (5)

Across the six strings the shape sounds G♯ · D♯ · G♯ · B · D♯ · G♯ from low to high, so some notes are doubled in different octaves — that is what gives an open guitar chord its width compared with the same chord on a keyboard.

What G#m is used for

G♯ minor is the vi in B and the iii in E, so it fills out progressions in sharp keys. Barre the E-minor shape at the 4th fret.

Common mistakes with G#m

• A barre that misses the G string. In the minor shape the index finger alone frets four strings, including the G — check it rings.
• Squeezing harder instead of rolling the finger. Pressure from the arm, with the elbow in, does more than a tighter grip.
• Placing the barre last but the other fingers in the wrong strings. Ring and little fingers go on the A and D strings, two frets up.

Chords that go with G#m

Same-root variations first, then the chords of the same key — a fourth and a fifth away, and the relative major — the shapes G#m is most often played alongside.

• C♯ minor
• E♭ major
• E♭ minor
• B major