Scale degrees · G major

The ♯4 of G is C♯

The ♯4 (sharp four, written #4) of G is C♯ (C sharp): an augmented fourth above the root.

G — the root, 1C♯ — the ♯4

How to find it

Count letters first, the root included: G, A, B, C. A 4th lands on C.

Then the sound: an augmented fourth is 6 semitones above G, and the C that is 6 semitones up is C♯.

That is why it is C♯ and not D♭: D♭ is the same key on the piano, but from G it would be a 5th, not a 4th.

Where you meet it

The ♯4 is the Lydian note, a tritone above the root. On a chord symbol it is usually written ♯11.

In the scale G Lydian:

G · A · B · C♯ · D · E · F♯

The ♯4 in every key

KeyThe ♯4
CF♯
GC♯
DG♯
AD♯
EA♯
BE♯
F♯B♯
D♭G
A♭D
E♭A
B♭E
FB

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