G♯ major chords exist, so why don’t we ever see a G♯ major key signature? Simply put, it’s too complex for practical use, and there’s an easier way to express it: with the key of A♭ major (its enharmonic equivalent).
Key signatures contain a maximum of seven singular sharps or flats, which we see in the keys C-sharp major and C-flat major, respectively. But, if we were to continue the pattern of sharps, the next key signature would be G-sharp major, which contains an Fx (double-sharp).
Additionally, some of the chords native to G-sharp major would be a bit absurd. Take a look:
▪ G# maj: G# - B# - D#
▪ A# min: A# - C# - E#
▪ B#min: B# - D# - Fx
▪ C# maj: C# - E# - G#
▪ D# maj: D# - Fx - A#
▪ E# min: E# - G# - B#
▪ Fx dim: Fx - A# - C#
G-Sharp Major’s Alter-Ego
For the sake of efficient notation, we can express the same exact scale with only four accidentals by using the key of A-flat major. This key is tonally identical, or “enharmonically equivalent,” to G sharp.
A-flat major’s scale is as follows:
Ab - Bb - C - Db - Eb - F - G**
**The G in this scale is equal to the Fx.
More on Enharmony:
The 6 Enharmonic Key SignaturesIf you just know your way around the key signatures, you may have noticed that a few keys – like B-sharp or F-flat major – are seemingly absent while others go by two names. The Inefficient KeysThe circle of fifths only shows the working scales. But if we expand on its pattern, we can see that it’s actually more of an infinite spiral; there’s no end to the possibilities of musical scales and keys. Table of Working & Non-Working KeysSee a clear visual of which keynotes are workable and which would be redundant.
G♯ major chords exist, so why don’t we ever see a G♯ major key signature? Simply put, it’s too complex for practical use, and there’s an easier way to express it: with the key of A♭ major (its enharmonic equivalent).
Key signatures contain a maximum of seven singular sharps or flats, which we see in the keys C-sharp major and C-flat major, respectively. But, if we were to continue the pattern of sharps, the next key signature would be G-sharp major, which contains an Fx (double-sharp).
Additionally, some of the chords native to G-sharp major would be a bit absurd. Take a look:
▪ G# maj: G# - B# - D#
▪ A# min: A# - C# - E#
▪ B#min: B# - D# - Fx
▪ C# maj: C# - E# - G#
▪ D# maj: D# - Fx - A#
▪ E# min: E# - G# - B#
▪ Fx dim: Fx - A# - C#
G-Sharp Major’s Alter-Ego
For the sake of efficient notation, we can express the same exact scale with only four accidentals by using the key of A-flat major. This key is tonally identical, or “enharmonically equivalent,” to G sharp.
A-flat major’s scale is as follows:
Ab - Bb - C - Db - Eb - F - G**
**The G in this scale is equal to the Fx.
More on Enharmony:
The 6 Enharmonic Key SignaturesIf you just know your way around the key signatures, you may have noticed that a few keys – like B-sharp or F-flat major – are seemingly absent while others go by two names. The Inefficient KeysThe circle of fifths only shows the working scales. But if we expand on its pattern, we can see that it’s actually more of an infinite spiral; there’s no end to the possibilities of musical scales and keys. Table of Working & Non-Working KeysSee a clear visual of which keynotes are workable and which would be redundant.
G♯ major chords exist, so why don’t we ever see a G♯ major key signature? Simply put, it’s too complex for practical use, and there’s an easier way to express it: with the key of A♭ major (its enharmonic equivalent).
Key signatures contain a maximum of seven singular sharps or flats, which we see in the keys C-sharp major and C-flat major, respectively. But, if we were to continue the pattern of sharps, the next key signature would be G-sharp major, which contains an Fx (double-sharp).
Additionally, some of the chords native to G-sharp major would be a bit absurd. Take a look:
▪ G# maj: G# - B# - D#
▪ A# min: A# - C# - E#
▪ B#min: B# - D# - Fx
▪ C# maj: C# - E# - G#
▪ D# maj: D# - Fx - A#
▪ E# min: E# - G# - B#
▪ Fx dim: Fx - A# - C#
G-Sharp Major’s Alter-Ego
For the sake of efficient notation, we can express the same exact scale with only four accidentals by using the key of A-flat major. This key is tonally identical, or “enharmonically equivalent,” to G sharp.
A-flat major’s scale is as follows:
Ab - Bb - C - Db - Eb - F - G**
**The G in this scale is equal to the Fx.
More on Enharmony:
The 6 Enharmonic Key SignaturesIf you just know your way around the key signatures, you may have noticed that a few keys – like B-sharp or F-flat major – are seemingly absent while others go by two names. The Inefficient KeysThe circle of fifths only shows the working scales. But if we expand on its pattern, we can see that it’s actually more of an infinite spiral; there’s no end to the possibilities of musical scales and keys. Table of Working & Non-Working KeysSee a clear visual of which keynotes are workable and which would be redundant.
G♯ major chords exist, so why don’t we ever see a G♯ major key signature? Simply put, it’s too complex for practical use, and there’s an easier way to express it: with the key of A♭ major (its enharmonic equivalent).
Key signatures contain a maximum of seven singular sharps or flats, which we see in the keys C-sharp major and C-flat major, respectively. But, if we were to continue the pattern of sharps, the next key signature would be G-sharp major, which contains an Fx (double-sharp).
Additionally, some of the chords native to G-sharp major would be a bit absurd. Take a look:
▪ G# maj: G# - B# - D#
▪ A# min: A# - C# - E#
▪ B#min: B# - D# - Fx
▪ C# maj: C# - E# - G#
▪ D# maj: D# - Fx - A#
▪ E# min: E# - G# - B#
▪ Fx dim: Fx - A# - C#
G-Sharp Major’s Alter-Ego
For the sake of efficient notation, we can express the same exact scale with only four accidentals by using the key of A-flat major. This key is tonally identical, or “enharmonically equivalent,” to G sharp.
A-flat major’s scale is as follows:
Ab - Bb - C - Db - Eb - F - G**
**The G in this scale is equal to the Fx.
More on Enharmony:
- The 6 Enharmonic Key SignaturesIf you just know your way around the key signatures, you may have noticed that a few keys – like B-sharp or F-flat major – are seemingly absent while others go by two names.
- The Inefficient KeysThe circle of fifths only shows the working scales. But if we expand on its pattern, we can see that it’s actually more of an infinite spiral; there’s no end to the possibilities of musical scales and keys.
- Table of Working & Non-Working KeysSee a clear visual of which keynotes are workable and which would be redundant.
