All 5 ways to play G#m7 on guitar
-
464444 at the 4th fret -
42410x open position -
xx6877 at the 6th fret -
x-11-9-11-9-x at the 9th fret -
x-11-13-11-12-11 at the 11th fret
Diagrams: strings run from the lowest on the left; X = don't play, O = open string, numbers = fingers (1 index, 2 middle, 3 ring, 4 little finger).
How to play G#m7 on guitar
Main shape: 464444 (at the 4th fret).
- Lay your index finger (1) flat across the strings from the low E (6th) to the high E (1st) string at the 4th fret (a barre).
- Put your ring finger (3) on the 6th fret of the A (5th) string.
- Strum all 6 strings.
G#m7 notes and intervals
| Note | Formula | Interval from the root |
|---|---|---|
| G♯ | 1 | root |
| B | ♭3 | minor 3rd |
| D♯ | 5 | perfect 5th |
| F♯ | ♭7 | minor 7th |
Inversions: the same notes with another one in the bass, written as slash chords: G♯m7/B (1st inversion), G♯m7/D♯ (2nd inversion) and G♯m7/F♯ (3rd inversion).
G#m7 or G♯M7? A small "m" means minor: G♯m7 is G♯ minor 7th (G♯, B, D♯ and F♯). A capital "M", as in G♯M7, means major 7th: the same chord as G♯maj7.
Easier ways to play G#m7
- Put a capo on the 4th fret and play the open Em7 shape: it sounds as G♯m7.
- In rock songs, the G♯5 power chord (G♯ and D♯ only) can stand in: it has no 3rd, so it is neither major nor minor.
G#m7 on piano and ukulele
-
G♯m7 on piano G♯ – B – D♯ – F♯ -
G♯m7 on ukulele 1322
Which keys use G#m7?
G♯m7 is one of the basic chords of 6 keys. Its number (Roman numeral) and job change with the key:
| Key | Written | Numeral | Function |
|---|---|---|---|
| E major | G♯m7 | iii7 | tonic or dominant |
| C♯ minor | G♯m7 | v7 | dominant |
| B major | G♯m7 | vi7 | tonic |
| G♯ minor | G♯m7 | i7 | tonic |
| F♯ major | G♯m7 | ii7 | predominant |
| D♯ minor | G♯m7 | iv7 | predominant |
Progressions with G#m7
- ii–V–I in F♯ major: G♯m7 – C♯7 – F♯maj7 A cadence that is extremely common in jazz.
- iiø–V–i in G♯ minor: A♯m7♭5 – D♯7 – G♯m7 The minor ii–V–i of jazz.