Theory Game 3 Solution

The key of G♯ major and E# minor both have eight sharps, but it's considered a theoretical key and is rarely used in practice. Instead, composers would use the enharmonic equivalent, A♭ major, which has four flats. 

In the real world:

Chopin's 1st Piano Concerto in E Minor has a section in the 2nd movement where it transitions to G# Major.  This is a fun theory exercise, because a strong, but subtle chromatic transition from E Minor thru F# major/minor would naturally lead to G Major, or the augmented third of the minor chord.  Typically, G natural is a Major third, but in a minor scale, it normally is played as Gb, so the G natural would be augmented from it's "normal" Gb, making the "Major" third in reality an Augmented third, or "III+ /  i"  in theory shorthand.  Even so, when you're in the midst of chromatic transitions, there is no great way to describe it, as transition chords are themselves transitory.  Chopin takes the augmentation a step further however, and augments the G natural to G#, for the infamous 8 sharp scale and hangs out there for a bit.

HERE is a great recording from the Polish Symphony Chamber Orchestra of Chopin's 1st Piano Concerto.  It's a beautiful work.


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