Major key guide
G major scale, chords, and progressions
Learn the G major scale, its F♯ key signature, seven diatonic chords, E minor relationship, and a playable G–C–D–G loop.
Key at a glance
1 sharp: F♯
G major adds one sharp, F♯, to the natural-note pattern. On the piano it is a small step away from C major, but the new leading tone changes the pull toward G.
- Tonic
- G
- Key signature
- 1 sharp: F♯
- Relative key
- E minor
01
Play the G major scale
G major is a practical first sharp key. It makes the order of sharps concrete and gives an easy comparison with its relative E minor.
G major scale
Listen from the tonic to the octave, or press one note at a time.
Sound loads when you first play.
02
Diatonic chords in G major
Build a chord on every scale degree using only notes from the scale.
| Degree | Triad | Seventh chord |
|---|---|---|
| I | G | Gmaj7 |
| ii | Am | Am7 |
| iii | Bm | Bm7 |
| IV | C | Cmaj7 |
| V | D | D7 |
| vi | Em | Em7 |
| vii° | F♯dim | F♯m7♭5 |
03
Primary-chord cadence: I–IV–V–I
Let F♯ appear over D or D7 before landing on G; that leading tone makes the return sound deliberate.
G – C – D – G
I–IV–V–I in G major.
Sound loads when you first play.
A short practice plan
- Pause on F♯ and listen to how strongly it wants to rise to G.
- Practice G–C–D with the closest available chord inversions.
- Move a C-major exercise into G major by changing every F to F♯.