G# Minor Circle (G#m)
i - VI - iv - V7 progression in G# minor with E major and D#7
G# minor covers frets 1, 3, 4, and 2 across strings 4, 3, 2, and 1. Moving to E major place finger 1 on fret 2 of string 1 and barre fret 4 across strings 4, 3, and 2. For C# minor keep fret 4 and add finger 1 on fret 1 of string 4. For D#7 lay a fret 3 barre with finger 2 on fret 4 of string 1.
How the chords connect in G# minor
The progression
This circle goes through G#m, E, C#m and D#7, which in G# minor are degrees i, VI, iv and V7. At 80 beats per minute, each bar of 4/4 lasts about 3 seconds and the whole round about 12.
The notes of each chord
In G#m you hear G#, B and D#. E holds E, G# and B. In C#m you hear C#, E and G#. D#7 holds D#, F##, A# and C#.
From one chord to the next
From G#m to E, G# and B stay, and two hand positions stay put. E and C#m keep E and G# in common. Also, two hand positions stay put. From C#m to D#7, C# stays, and one hand position stays put.
Back to the start
Going back from D#7 to G#m, F## rises a semitone to G# and C# falls a whole tone to B. The two chords share D#.
The hand
G#m presses four positions and leaves no string open. E needs a barre at fret 4. C#m takes a barre at fret 4. D#7 needs a barre at fret 3. The highest fret in the circle is fret 4, in G#m. E, C#m and D#7 use a barre.
Key map: G#m
- Key signature
- 5 sharps
- Scale notes
- G# – A# – B – C# – D# – E – F#
The 7 chords of the key
- iG#m
- ii°A#dim
- IIIB
- ivC#m
- VD#
- VIE
- VIIF#
In minor, V is major thanks to the leading tone (raised 7th degree).
- Relative key
- B
G# Minor Circle (G#m) circle for ukulele
G#m 1342 · E 4442 · C#m 1444 · D#7 3334
Show ukulele tab and notation
Questions about this ukulele circle
How do you coordinate closed chord transitions in G sharp minor?
Keep your thumb centered behind the neck so your fingers can move as a unified block across frets 1, 2, 3, and 4.
What connects E major and C sharp minor in this progression?
Both chords share anchor points at fret 4, creating a stable resting position during the sequence.
Why is D sharp 7 the ideal dominant for G sharp minor?
Because its leading tone F double sharp resolves a half step upward directly to the tonic G sharp.