Does the key of G sharp major actually exist?

Question

Hello. Last year, my music theory teacher and I were having a discussion about whether the key of G sharp major actually exists. I said no, because that means you would have to put a double sharp in the key signature, which is very rare. But does that mean that G sharp major doesn’t exist?

What if you’re writing something in C sharp major, but then modulate up a fifth? Would you land at G sharp or A flat? The concept is a little confusing to me. Could someone please try to help me out. I would highly appreciate it. Thank you.

Answer 1

You're correct that double-sharps are rare — I'm far more apt to need a B♯ than an F♯♯ — but that doesn't mean that G♯ major doesn't exist, even if no one writes in it (at least, I don't recall any instances), four flats being clearly easier to deal with.  I've played in G♯ minor, but haven't we all...



Double-flats are more common simply because of the nature of minor keys.  Out of fifteen, only five use zero flats, with the rest totaling 55 flats.  In contrast, minor keys comprise 10 sharps.



"What if you’re writing something in C sharp major, but then modulate up a fifth?"  I'd write in D♭ and modulate to A♭.



Mamianka might see this question; she knows more about this stuff than you'd ever want to.

Answer 2

Yes it does but its usual to score in A flat (which is exactly the same key - the black note between G and A ) but easier to notate.

Answer 3

G# Major is a label.



The major scale pattern (a label for a series of sounds), can be rewritten enharmonically (also a label), so that what we label as Ab major can be the same as G# major.



The question is why: 'Ideally' for sensible people, notation should be easy to read. Why complicate it? (Unless complicating the notation is the aim, rather than the actual sound).



So, in common practice, G# is not used because it is overly complicated compared to Ab major.







Do you want to read a cooking book that says:



Now apply pressure greater to than that of the elasticity of the shell of the protein container created by a Gallus gallus domesticus.



Or, Crack the Chicken's egg.



Yes, if you want to be fancy pants, make something overly complex to feel smart.

But then again, how smart is it to create something OVERLY complex to begin with?

Answer 4

This is where some person with too much time on their hands, FINDS an obscure work written in that strange key (beyond the short list of well-known ones - like Chopin - reminder in the Wiki link in another post. It was probably written just to prove it can be done. This is like the kid here who used to search for TRIPLE sharps and flats in Russian piano literature. (I am talking about the truly odd and obscure.). Since *one* objective of composition is a successful performance, I think we would all agree than an enharmonic respelling to Ab works be in order. So, like those transient radioactive elements at the very bottom of the Periodic Table - we can force those bizarre keys into existence, but hope they do not last long. Even with complex theoretical concepts, sometimes playground rules work best. CAN you do it? Sure. Do you really wanna? Not really . . .



And then there is the guy who wrote his music in his own notation system - and own blood . . .





Repair of pre-caffeine typos . . .