G Major Scale

Notes in the G Major Scale

Degree Name Note Frequency (A=440)
1 Tonic G 391.995 Hz
2 Supertonic A 440.000 Hz
3 Mediant B 493.883 Hz
4 Subdominant C 261.626 Hz
5 Dominant D 293.665 Hz
6 Submediant E 329.628 Hz
7 Leading Tone F# 369.994 Hz

Interval Pattern

Formula: W-W-H-W-W-W-H
Step Interval Semitones From Note To Note
1 Whole Step (W) 2 G A
2 Whole Step (W) 2 A B
3 Half Step (H) 1 B C
4 Whole Step (W) 2 C D
5 Whole Step (W) 2 D E
6 Whole Step (W) 2 E F#
7 Half Step (H) 1 F# G

Chords Built on Scale Degrees

Degree Note Chord Quality
1 G G major
2 A A minor minor
3 B B minor minor
4 C C major
5 D D major
6 E E minor minor
7 F# F# diminished diminished

Key Signature

1 — The G key signature uses F#.

G Major Scale in Practice

The G Major Scale uses the key signature of 1 sharp (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. On guitar, G positions offer open-string resonance for fingering positions for this scale.

The major scale is the foundation of Western music, featuring a bright, happy sound. It follows the whole-whole-half-whole-whole-whole-half step pattern.

Tuning Frequencies Across Temperaments

Frequencies shown at A=440 Hz. View full temperament data for any note.

Note Equal Temp. Pythagorean Just Intonation
G 391.995 Hz 391.111 Hz 392.438 Hz
A 440.000 Hz 440.000 Hz 436.043 Hz
B 493.883 Hz 495.000 Hz 490.548 Hz
C 261.626 Hz 260.740 Hz 261.626 Hz
D 293.665 Hz 293.332 Hz 294.329 Hz
E 329.628 Hz 330.001 Hz 327.032 Hz
F# 369.994 Hz 371.251 Hz 367.911 Hz

Related Scales

Guitar: G Major Scale Positions

The G key offers 1 sharp (F#) on guitar. Sharp-side keys like G are idiomatic guitar keys because open strings (E, A, D, G, B, E) align with the scale's natural resonance points.