The G♯ 9♭5 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 major ninth.
Construction
G♯ 9♭5 = Root + Major 3rd + Diminished 5th + Minor 7th + Major 2nd = G♯ · B♯ · D · F♯ · A♯
| Note | Interval | Degree |
|---|---|---|
| G♯ | Root | 1 |
| B♯ | Major 3rd | 3 |
| D | Diminished 5th | ♭5 |
| F♯ | Minor 7th | ♭7 |
| A♯ | Major 2nd | 9 |
Key Signature
A chord has no key signature of its own, but the G♯ 9♭5 is the tonic (I) chord of G# Major, whose key signature has 4 flats (B♭, E♭, A♭, D♭).
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 triads built on each degree of the G♯ major scale:
Same Notes, Other Names
The notes G♯ – B♯ – D – F♯ – A♯ aren’t exclusive to this chord. Depending on which note is the bass and how the chord functions, the same pitches also spell:
G♯ 9♭5 — Frequently Asked Questions
What is the G♯ 9♭5 chord on piano?
The G♯ 9♭5 chord contains the notes G♯ – B♯ – D – F♯ – A♯. On piano, play these notes together to sound the chord.
What notes are in the G# 9♭5 chord?
The G# 9♭5 chord (G#9♭5) contains 5 notes: G#, C, D, F#, A#. Formula: R-M3-d5-m7-M9.
How is G#9♭5 used in music?
G#9♭5 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#9♭5?
G#9♭5 uses scale degrees 1-3-b5-b7-9, giving it its distinctive sound.