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
| Key | The ♯4 |
|---|---|
| C | F♯ |
| G | C♯ |
| D | G♯ |
| A | D♯ |
| E | A♯ |
| B | E♯ |
| F♯ | B♯ |
| D♭ | G |
| A♭ | D |
| E♭ | A |
| B♭ | E |
| F | B |
Every degree of G
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