Which notes are in the G#7♭5 chord?

G#7♭5 contains the notes G#, C, D and F#. Relative to the root these are the degrees 1 – 3 – ♭5 – ♭7.

How many ways can you play G#7♭5?

Minory lists a single guitar fingering for G#7♭5, and it is a barre shape.

Is the G#7♭5 chord hard to play?

G#7♭5 requires a barre, so it can feel demanding at first. Keeping the index finger straight and pressing from the wrist rather than the thumb makes it noticeably easier.

Are G#7♭5 and Ab7♭5 the same chord?

Yes. G#7♭5 and Ab7♭5 are enharmonically identical — the spelling differs but the frets and keys are the same. Which name is used depends on the key of the piece.

G# dominant 7th flat 5 · Guitar

G#7♭5 Chord on Guitar

The G#7♭5 chord (G# dominant 7th flat 5) is built from the notes G#, C, D and F#. The guitar fingering for it is shown below. The same chord is also written Ab7♭5; both spellings sound identical.

Chord diagrams

G#7♭5barre shape

Fingering

string 6 (E): muted
string 5 (A): muted
string 4 (D): played open
string 3 (G): fret 1 — index finger
string 2 (B): fret 1 — index finger
string 1 (E): fret 2 — middle finger

Notes in this chord

G♯
C
D
F♯

Degrees: 1 – 3 – ♭5 – ♭7

Also written: Ab7♭5

How to play

Every guitar shape for G#7♭5 needs a barre, and the lowest one starts at fret 1. Keep the index finger straight and as close to the fret wire as possible, and let the wrist rather than the thumb supply the pressure.

Theory behind the chord

The 7♭5 chord lowers the fifth of a dominant seventh, thinning out the chord and sharpening its tension. It shows up in jazz and in altered dominant sounds heading towards a resolution. On G#7♭5 this structure sits on the root G#, so the degrees 1 – 3 – ♭5 – ♭7 map onto G#, C, D and F#.

Frequently asked questions

Which notes are in the G#7♭5 chord?: G#7♭5 contains the notes G#, C, D and F#. Relative to the root these are the degrees 1 – 3 – ♭5 – ♭7.
How many ways can you play G#7♭5?: Minory lists a single guitar fingering for G#7♭5, and it is a barre shape.
Is the G#7♭5 chord hard to play?: G#7♭5 requires a barre, so it can feel demanding at first. Keeping the index finger straight and pressing from the wrist rather than the thumb makes it noticeably easier.
Are G#7♭5 and Ab7♭5 the same chord?: Yes. G#7♭5 and Ab7♭5 are enharmonically identical — the spelling differs but the frets and keys are the same. Which name is used depends on the key of the piece.

Practise G#7♭5 on your phone

Minory bundles the full chord library with a tuner, metronome and repertoire notebook — and it all works offline.