Also written G7♯5, G or G Dominant 7th ♯5
G 7th sharp 5 contains G, B, D♯, and F. The default voicing at the 11th fret requires a wide four-finger stretch.
The same three notes, with a different one in the bass.
G 7th sharp 5 is built from the formula 1, 3, ♯5, ♭7. The augmented 5th, D♯, gives the chord its sharp, biting quality. Compare it to G 7th, which uses a perfect 5th.
G 7th sharp 5 acts as a dominant chord in G major progressions, such as G–C–D, the I–IV–V. It suits rock, blues, and jazz lines that need a raised 5th. It pairs well with G major and G 7th.
The D♯ inversion puts the augmented 5th in the bass, creating a tense, unstable sound. The F inversion has the ♭7 in the bass and is easier to reach at the 1st fret. Choose the D♯ inversion for a more dissonant line.
G 7th sharp 5 is played at the 9th fret as 11 10 9 10: pinky finger on the E string at fret 11, middle finger on the A string at fret 10, index finger on the D string at fret 9 and ring finger on the G string at fret 10.
Tip — The pinky must reach the 11th fret on the E string while the index holds the 9th fret on the D string.
| String | Fret | Finger | Note |
|---|---|---|---|
| 4 (E) | 11 | 4 | D♯ (♯5) |
| 3 (A) | 10 | 2 | G (1) |
| 2 (D) | 9 | 1 | B (3) |
| 1 (G) | 10 | 3 | F (♭7) |
G 7th sharp 5 is played in open position as 1 2 1 0: index finger on the E string at fret 1, ring finger on the A string at fret 2 and middle finger on the D string at fret 1. The G string rings open.
| String | Fret | Finger | Note |
|---|---|---|---|
| 4 (E) | 1 | 1 | F (♭7) |
| 3 (A) | 2 | 3 | B (3) |
| 2 (D) | 1 | 2 | D♯ (♯5) |
| 1 (G) | open | — | G (1) |
G 7th sharp 5 is played at the 12th fret as 13 14 13 12: middle finger on the E string at fret 13, pinky finger on the A string at fret 14, ring finger on the D string at fret 13 and index finger on the G string at fret 12.
| String | Fret | Finger | Note |
|---|---|---|---|
| 4 (E) | 13 | 2 | F (♭7) |
| 3 (A) | 14 | 4 | B (3) |
| 2 (D) | 13 | 3 | D♯ (♯5) |
| 1 (G) | 12 | 1 | G (1) |
G 7th sharp 5 is written as G7♯5 or G7+5. The symbol G7♯5 is the most common.
G 7th sharp 5 adds a minor 7th, F, to the augmented triad G–B–D♯. G augmented has only the root, major 3rd, and augmented 5th. The 7th makes the chord dominant and more dissonant.
G 7th sharp 5 works as a passing chord between G 7th and G 9th. Its raised 5th creates tension that resolves to the next chord. Use it briefly on a weak beat.