G Major
Key Signature
| Property | Value |
|---|---|
| Tonic | G |
| Mode | Major |
| Accidentals | 1 sharp |
| Key Signature Notes | F# |
G major has one sharp (F#) and is one of the most common keys in folk, country, and rock music. Its open, resonant quality makes it ideal for guitar-based music.
Diatonic Chords
The seven diatonic chords of G Major — each built on a scale degree using only the notes of the key signature:
| Degree | Roman Numeral | Chord Type | Chord |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | I | Major | G Major |
| 2 | ii | Minor | A Minor |
| 3 | iii | Minor | B Minor |
| 4 | IV | Major | C Major |
| 5 | V | Major | D Major |
| 6 | vi | Minor | E Minor |
| 7 | vii° | Diminished | F# Diminished |
Related Keys
- Relative Minor
- E Minor — shares the same key signature.
- Parallel Minor
- G Minor — same tonic, different key signature.
See all key relationships on the Circle of Fifths.
Scales in G Major
Common scales built from the G tonic:
Transposing Instrument Context
Sharp-key signatures like G Major are comfortable for open-string instruments (guitar, violin). Bb instruments (trumpet, clarinet, tenor saxophone) read in A major to sound G Major. Eb instruments (alto saxophone, Eb clarinet) read in E major to sound G Major. Standard guitar tuning (E A D G B E) resonates naturally in G Major.