B#dim (we'll refer to this as Cdim for simplicity's sake) E#m (we'll refer to this as Fm for simplicity's sake) (Also referred to as I-bVII-IV.)Īll this looks a lot like high school algebra, but it sounds better than it looks (pun intended).ĭb and C# are essentially the same key, as they contain the same notes, but with different names. (Also referred to as I-V-II.)Īs V-IV-I: The Eb Mixolydian-sounding Eb, C#, and G# progression. You can change the order of the chords for some familiar-sounding progressions:Īs I-IV-V-IV-V: G#, C#, Eb, C#, and Eb chords.Īs IV-I-V: The C# Lydian-sounding C#, G#, and Eb progression. I-IV-V can be replaced by the G#, C#, and Eb major chords. Many, many, many, many chord progressions in popular music contain some permutation of the I-IV-V progression, and since we're talking about the key of G#: It's not technically correct to include flats in a sharp key (and vice versa), but it definitely helps to only have 12 note names instead of 24+ (due to double sharps). So let's rephrase this again, in a way that mostly guitar players would recognize: It simplifies things even more if you selectively choose a the sharp names over flat names, and vice versa: C, C#, D, Eb, E, F, F#, G, G#, A, Bb, and B. It's not technically correct to have a natural and sharp/flat of the same letter in the same scale, but it definitely simplifies things memory-wise to deal with only the letter names: C, C#/Db, D, D#/Eb, E, F, F#/Gb, G, G#/Ab, A, A#/Bb, and B. It's ridiculous to speak in terms of the Key of G# Major because there are not one, not two, not seven.but EIGHT SHARPS in this scale! So, let's rephrase the list to cut down on the amount of sharps: Substituting a major chord with its relative minor (and vice versa) might liven up a boring progression with a less boring progression (albeit still widely used). Instead of playing I-V-IV-I, for instance, try the following permutations (not an exhaustive list), but we'll start with the original progression: V/iii: Eb major could possibly be substituted with Cm IV/ii: C# major could possibly be substituted with Bbm I/vi: G# major could possibly be substituted with Fm (Remember that it's not orthodox notation to include both sharps and flats in the same scale.)Įach major chord in the key of G# has a relative minor that might sound great instead of playing the major chord, and vice versa. Remember the 'Dirty Dozen' (see sidebar for more info) Key of G# from last time:

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