Listen plays the chord. Play Along lights up each note in order so you can follow.
G♯7♭5♯9
G♯ – B♯ – D – F♯ – A♯♯
Formula:R-M3-d5-m7-A9
Intervals:P1-M3-d5-m7-A9
Scale Degrees:1-3-b5-b7-#9
Introduction
The G# 7♭5♯9 chord in root position on a piano keyboard, notes G#, C, D, F#, B.
The G♯ 7♭5♯9 chord is a five-note chord made up of G♯, B♯, D, F♯, and A♯♯. It is built from a root, major third, diminished fifth, minor seventh, and augmented ninth.
Notes
Notes:G♯ – B♯ – D – F♯ – A♯♯
Key Signature
The key of G# 7♭5♯9 (enharmonically equivalent to Ab 7♭5♯9) has 4 flats.
B♭E♭A♭D♭
Order of flats
Flats are added in a fixed order — the reverse of the sharp order. Each new flat key adds the next flat on the list.
B♭E♭A♭D♭G♭C♭F♭
Mnemonic:Battle Ends And Down Goes Charles’ Father
Chords in the Key of G♯ Major
These are the diatonic triads built on each degree of the G♯ major scale:
The G♯ 7♭5♯9 is built by stacking intervals from the root note. The formula R-M3-d5-m7-A9 describes the scale degrees used. The intervals P1-M3-d5-m7-A9 show the distance between each note in the chord.
G♯ 7♭5♯9 — Frequently Asked Questions
What notes are in the G# 7♭5♯9 chord?
The G# 7♭5♯9 chord (G#7♭5♯9) contains 5 notes: G#, C, D, F#, B. Formula: R-M3-d5-m7-A9.
How is G#7♭5♯9 used in music?
G#7♭5♯9 is used in jazz, fusion, and contemporary music to add harmonic color. It appears as a dominant or tonic chord depending on context.
What is the scale degree formula for G#7♭5♯9?
G#7♭5♯9 uses scale degrees 1-3-b5-b7-#9, giving it its distinctive sound.
Practice Tips
Start by placing your thumb on G# and spacing remaining fingers across the chord.
Practice G#7♭5♯9 slowly with separate hands before combining.
Listen carefully to the tension created by the altered tones in this chord.
Try voicing G#7♭5♯9 in different octaves to find the most comfortable position.
Resolve G#7♭5♯9 to a nearby chord to hear its function in context.
Keep going with the 7♭5♯9 chord — these pages cover the underlying theory, the connected reference material, and the practice tools that work with this chord.
