G♯m7♭5 chord on guitar

G♯m7♭5 is G♯, B, D and F♯. The usual shape is 4-2-0-1-0-2. Tap Play, then slow it down.

4-2-0-1-0-2 · open · medium

Notes: G♯ · B · D · F♯
Formula: 1 · ♭3 · ♭5 · ♭7
First shape: 4-2-0-1-0-2

How to play G♯m7♭5 on guitar

Shape 1, 4-2-0-1-0-2, reading from the low E string on the left:

Index finger: G string, 1st fret (G♯).
Middle finger: A string, 2nd fret (B).
Ring finger: high E string, 2nd fret (F♯).
Pinky: low E string, 4th fret (G♯).
Let the open D and B strings ring (D and B).

If an open string sounds dead, a fingertip is leaning on it. Come down more on the tips, with your knuckles bent.
This shape uses your pinky. It feels weak at first; press with the tip and let the finger stay curved.
This one reaches. Let the thumb slide lower on the neck and the stretch gets noticeably easier.

Other ways to play G♯m7♭5

4-x-4-4-3-x: movable shape at the 3rd fret, medium. Built on the Em7♭5 open shape with the barre as a movable nut; the root is on the 6th string.
x-11-12-11-12-x: movable shape at the 11th fret, medium. Root on the 5th string, so it pairs well with the 6th-string shape a few frets away.
x-x-6-7-7-7: movable shape at the 6th fret, medium. A small shape for quick changes and a lighter sound.

Changing from G♯m7♭5 to the chords around it

Songs rarely hold G♯m7♭5 for long. Here's what your hand does on the moves that come up most.

C♯7 (the iiø7 of a minor key heads to V7): G♯m7♭5 (4-2-0-1-0-2) to C♯7 (x-4-6-4-6-4): the index finger lays across the A to high E strings at the 4th fret, the middle finger goes to the D string, 6th fret, move the ring finger to the B string, 6th fret. Everything moves: lift the whole hand and place the new shape in one go. The two chords share G♯ and B, which is why the change sounds smooth. C♯7 on guitar
Amaj7 (I in A major): G♯m7♭5 (4-2-0-1-0-2) to Amaj7 (x-0-2-1-2-0): your index finger stays put, the middle finger slides across to the D string at the same fret, the ring finger slides across to the B string at the same fret. Listen for G♯, which stays put while the rest moves. Amaj7 on guitar
C♯m7 (iii in A major): G♯m7♭5 (4-2-0-1-0-2) to C♯m7 (x-4-2-1-0-0): your index finger stays put, the middle finger slides across to the D string at the same fret, move the ring finger to the A string, 4th fret. Listen for G♯ and B, which stay put while the rest moves. C♯m7 on guitar

G♯m7♭5 is a half-diminished chord (minor seventh flat five). G♯m7♭5 is the ii chord of a minor key, the first step of a minor ii–V–i. Play it once strummed and once picked to hear the difference.

Practice G♯m7♭5 in two minutes

Pick shape 1 one string at a time, low to high: G♯, B, D, G♯, B, F♯. Every note should ring clearly; if one thuds, adjust that finger before you strum. Next, alternate 4-2-0-1-0-2 and 4-x-4-4-3-x, slowly, until the change takes less than a beat.

Written A♭m7♭5, it's the same chord with the same frets.

Keys and progressions with G♯m7♭5

G♯m7♭5 on piano and ukulele

The same notes on another instrument: G♯m7♭5 on piano and G♯m7♭5 on ukulele. This page puts all three side by side.

Next to try on guitar

Other half-diminished chords

G♯m7♭5 on guitar: questions

What notes are in G♯m7♭5 on guitar?

G♯, B, D and F♯. In the 4-2-0-1-0-2 shape the strings play G♯ (low E string), B (A string), D (D string, open), G♯ (G string), B (B string, open) and F♯ (high E string), so G♯ and B are doubled.

What's the easiest way to play G♯m7♭5 on guitar?

None of the G♯m7♭5 shapes is a true beginner shape, but 4-2-0-1-0-2 comes closest. It uses 4 fingers and no barre, with open strings, and a capo is worth trying when the song allows.

Is G♯m7♭5 a barre chord on guitar?

Not in its common form: 4-2-0-1-0-2 needs no barre.

Which string does G♯m7♭5 start on?

In the 4-2-0-1-0-2 shape the lowest string you play is the low E string at the 4th fret, which is G♯, the root.

Every shape above plays only G♯, B, D and F♯, checked by the site's tests. Updated September 2026.