G# minor · Piano
G#m Chord on Piano
The G#m chord (G# minor) is built from the notes G#, B and D#. The keyboard diagram below shows exactly which keys to press. The same chord is also written Abm; both spellings sound identical.
Chord diagrams
Notes in this chord
- G♯
- B
- D♯
Degrees: 1 – ♭3 – 5
Also written: Abm
How to play
To play G#m on piano, press G#, B and D# together. In root position the lowest note is G#, and the finger numbers follow the keys left to right in the diagram.
Theory behind the chord
Minor chords sound darker than major ones because the third is lowered by a semitone. They carry the melancholic colour in most songs and pair naturally with their relative major. On G#m this structure sits on the root G#, so the degrees 1 – ♭3 – 5 map onto G#, B and D#. G#m is the vi chord in the key of B major, the ii chord in F# major and the iii chord in E major. Its relative major is B. It is often heard in the G#m – E – B – F# progression.
Frequently asked questions
- Which notes are in the G#m chord?
- G#m contains the notes G#, B and D#. Relative to the root these are the degrees 1 – ♭3 – 5.
- Are G#m and Abm the same chord?
- Yes. G#m and Abm 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#m on your phone
Minory bundles the full chord library with a tuner, metronome and repertoire notebook — and it all works offline.
