G# maj Guitar Chord | Play, Hear and Practice Interactively
G#, B# and D# make up the G# major chord, which sounds identical to Ab major, where the awkward B# is written as a plain C.
All four voicings on this page are barre shapes, and the lowest sits at the 1st fret. G# is the I chord of G# major and the V chord of C# major. The G# major scale contains all three notes.
Press play on the interactive fretboard at the top to hear it strummed, then picked one string at a time as an arpeggio, and compare the sound with Ab major.
G# major guitar chord is also written as G#, G#maj, G#M or G#Δ.
G# maj chord Notes:
Chord Formula:
Formula: 1 3 5
G# Maj Chord Interactive Fretboard
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G# Maj Guitar Chord Diagrams
Position 1 Barre Movable
Finger Positions
- Mute the low E string
- Mute the A string
- Place your index finger (1) on the fret 1 of the D, G and B strings at the same time
- Place your pinky finger (4) on the fret 4 of the high E string
Position 2 Barre Movable
Finger Positions
- Place your index finger (1) on the fret 4 of the low E, B and high E strings at the same time
- Place your middle finger (2) on the fret 5 of the G string
- Place your ring finger (3) on the fret 6 of the A string
- Place your pinky finger (4) on the fret 6 of the D string
Position 3 Barre Movable
Finger Positions
- Mute the low E string
- Place your index finger (1) on the fret 8 of the G and high E strings at the same time
- Place your middle finger (2) on the fret 9 of the B string
- Place your ring finger (3) on the fret 10 of the D string
- Place your pinky finger (4) on the fret 11 of the A string
Position 4 Barre Movable
Finger Positions
- Mute the low E string
- Mute the high E string
- Place your index finger (1) on the fret 1 of the D, G and B strings at the same time
- Place your ring finger (3) on the fret 3 of the A string
Find more shapes in our all guitar chords online library. If you
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Created by
Giancarlo is a musician (teaching guitar since 2000), software engineer, AI consultant and published researcher
FAQ
Is G# major the same chord as Ab major?
Yes. G# major and Ab major sound the same; they differ only in spelling. G# major is G#, B#, D#, while Ab major is Ab, C, Eb, which avoids the B#.
Why is the third of G# major written B# and not C?
The third of G# major has to use the letter B, and four semitones up from G# is B#. It sounds like C, but the letters keep the chord stacked in thirds: G, B, D.
How many voicings does G# major have?
G# major has 4 voicings, all of them barre voicings and none with open strings. The highest one reaches the 11th fret.
What notes does G# major contain?
G# major contains G#, B# and D#: root, major third and perfect fifth. D# is seven semitones up from G#.
In which key does G# major act as the I chord?
Spelled as Ab major, it is the I chord of Ab major and also the IV chord of Eb major. In both keys its three notes belong to the scale.
