G#m chord (G sharp minor) on bass
G#m (G sharp minor) has three notes: G sharp, B and D sharp. Its formula is 1, b3, 5. In major keys, G#m is the ii chord in F# major, the iii in E major and the vi in B major.
How to play G#m on bass
Low notes close together sound muddy, so bass players spread a chord out and leave notes out. Forms with a 3rd or 7th sound clear from about the E string's 8th fret up, so they start there; root and 5th stays low. These forms put the root on the E string; the same shapes work from the A string.
Fingers: 1 on E, 1 on G.
Fingers: 1 on E, 3 on A, 1 on G.
Fingers: 1 on E, 3 on A.
Fingers: 1 on E, 3 on A, 3 on D.
Hear it and see every shape in ScaleSpace →
| Symbol | G#m |
|---|---|
| Also written | G#min, G#- |
| Notes | G# B D# |
| Formula | 1 b3 5 |
| Intervals | root, minor third, perfect fifth |
| Type | Minor chord |
G#m across the neck
Bass · 4-string, tuned low to high: E, A, D, G. 24 frets.
- E string: fret 4 G# (1), fret 7 B (flat 3), fret 11 D# (5), fret 16 G# (1), fret 19 B (flat 3), fret 23 D# (5).
- A string: fret 2 B (flat 3), fret 6 D# (5), fret 11 G# (1), fret 14 B (flat 3), fret 18 D# (5), fret 23 G# (1).
- D string: fret 1 D# (5), fret 6 G# (1), fret 9 B (flat 3), fret 13 D# (5), fret 18 G# (1), fret 21 B (flat 3).
- G string: fret 1 G# (1), fret 4 B (flat 3), fret 8 D# (5), fret 13 G# (1), fret 16 B (flat 3), fret 20 D# (5).
Swipe the chart sideways to see all of it.
Questions
What notes are in the G#m chord?
G#m (G sharp minor) has three notes: G sharp, B and D sharp. Its formula is 1, b3, 5. G# is the root, B is the minor third and D# is the perfect fifth.
How do you play G#m on bass?
Bass players spread it out rather than strum it. The simplest form is the root and 10th: 1 b10, root on the E string, fret 16. Fingers: 1 on E, 1 on G.
What key is G#m in?
In major keys, G#m is the ii chord in F# major, the iii in E major and the vi in B major. It is diatonic to those keys, so it fits songs in any of them.
What is the difference between G#m and Ab?
G#m has a minor 3rd, B. Ab major raises it a half step to C. The root and 5th stay the same.