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G 7th sharp 5 chord on ukulele (G7♯5)
Also called or written G7♯5, G or G Dominant 7th ♯5
G 7th sharp 5 is built from G, B, D♯ and F. The open 0-3-1-2 grip uses the open G string and a three-fret stretch, while the 8-7-7-8 shape is a compact alternative.
How it is built
Formula 1, 3, ♯5, ♭7
- Root positionG–B–D♯–FG7♯58-7-7-8
- First inversionB–D♯–F–GG7♯5/B10-11-11-10
- Second inversionD♯–F–G–BG7♯5/D♯0-3-1-2
- Third inversionF–G–B–D♯G7♯5/F10-11-11-10
How do you play a G 7th sharp 5 chord on ukulele?
G 7th sharp 5 is played in open position as 0 3 1 2: ring finger on the C string at fret 3, index finger on the E string at fret 1 and middle finger on the A string at fret 2. The G string rings open.
Full note and interval breakdown
| String | Fret | Finger | Note |
|---|---|---|---|
| 4 (G) | open | — | G (1) |
| 3 (C) | 3 | 3 | D♯ (♯5) |
| 2 (E) | 1 | 1 | F (♭7) |
| 1 (A) | 2 | 2 | B (3) |
AdvancedThe ring finger must reach fret 3 on the C string while the index and middle hold frets 1 and 2, a wide stretch.
7th fret
G 7th sharp 5 is played at the 7th fret as 8 7 7 8: ring finger on the G string at fret 8, index finger on the C string at fret 7, middle finger on the E string at fret 7 and pinky finger on the A string at fret 8.
Full note and interval breakdown
| String | Fret | Finger | Note |
|---|---|---|---|
| 4 (G) | 8 | 3 | D♯ (♯5) |
| 3 (C) | 7 | 1 | G (1) |
| 2 (E) | 7 | 2 | B (3) |
| 1 (A) | 8 | 4 | F (♭7) |
G7♯5/B inversion
G 7th sharp 5 is played at the 10th fret as 10 11 11 10: index finger on the G string at fret 10, ring finger on the C string at fret 11, pinky finger on the E string at fret 11 and middle finger on the A string at fret 10.
Full note and interval breakdown
| String | Fret | Finger | Note |
|---|---|---|---|
| 4 (G) | 10 | 1 | F (♭7) |
| 3 (C) | 11 | 3 | B (3) |
| 2 (E) | 11 | 4 | D♯ (♯5) |
| 1 (A) | 10 | 2 | G (1) |
Why it sounds like that
G 7th sharp 5 uses the formula 1, 3, ♯5, ♭7: G, B, D♯, F. The sharp fifth D♯ gives the chord its biting, augmented-dominant colour. Compare it with G 7th, which has a natural fifth D.
What goes wrong with G 7th sharp 5?
- Letting the ring finger touch the G string and choke its open note.
- Letting the middle finger touch the E string and choke its note.
- Pressing the index finger flat so it deadens the A string.
When to use it
G 7th sharp 5 is a tense dominant in G major, often resolving to G major or G 7th. It suits jazz, blues, and funk when you need an edgy, unresolved colour.
Changing to and from G 7th sharp 5
- From G 7th sharp 5 to G 7th, lower the D♯ on the C string by one fret.
- From G 7th sharp 5 to G major, move the index finger from fret 1 on the E string to fret 0 and lift the middle and ring fingers.
Which voicing to use
The open 0-3-1-2 voicing puts G in the bass for a grounded, root-position sound. The 8-7-7-8 shape places D♯ in the bass and is easier to grab quickly, though it sounds less grounded.
Other G chords
Common questions
How is G 7th sharp 5 written?
G 7th sharp 5 is written G7♯5 or G7+5. The symbol G is also used, and the alternate name is Dominant 7th ♯5.
What is the difference between G 7th sharp 5 and G augmented?
G 7th sharp 5 adds a flat seventh F to the augmented triad G–B–D♯. G augmented has no seventh, so it sounds more static.
Why does G 7th sharp 5 sound so tense?
The raised fifth D♯ is a semitone above the perfect fifth, creating a dissonant augmented interval against the root. The flat seventh adds further instability.