Chords › G♯ minor
G Sharp Minor Chord on Guitar
- G♯m
- G♯ · B · D♯
- Barre at fret 4
- Also written A♭m
E-shape barre
Easy, four strings. Play only the top four strings, with no full barre. It is the usual first step before the barre shape.
G sharp minor, written G♯m, is a minor chord: the root, the minor third and the fifth, which gives it its darker sound. G♯m has no open shape, so it is usually played as an E-shape barre chord at the 4th fret, and there is an easier four-string version for beginners.
How to play G♯m, finger by finger
- Lay your index finger flat across strings 6 to 1 at the 4th fret.
- Put your ring finger on string 5 at the 6th fret.
- Put your pinky finger on string 4 at the 6th fret.
- Strum all six strings.
Easy G♯m for beginners
Play only the top four strings, with no full barre. It is the usual first step before the barre shape.
More ways to play G♯m
Notes in G♯ minor
| Note | Interval | Role |
|---|---|---|
| G♯ | 1 | root |
| B | ♭3 | minor third |
| D♯ | 5 | fifth |
Formula: 1 – ♭3 – 5
Questions about G♯m
What notes are in G♯m?
G♯, B and D♯. Those are the 1, ♭3, 5 of the chord, counted from G♯.
What is the easiest way to play G♯m?
Play the four-string version on the top strings, frets 6, 4, 4, 4 from the 4th string to the 1st. Move to the full barre at the 4th fret when your index finger is ready.
Is G♯m the same as A♭m?
Yes, on guitar they are played the same way and sound the same. G sharp and A flat are two names for one note: songs in sharp keys write G♯, songs in flat keys write A♭.
Related chords
Often played with G♯m
Other minor chords