G Major: Scale, Chords and Progressions

Chords in the key of G major

The key of G major has one sharp in the key signature (F♯). Its scale is G – A – B – C – D – E – F♯ and its seven chords are G, Am, Bm, C, D, Em and F♯dim. The most common progression is G – D – Em – C. Its relative key is E minor. With a capo on fret 3, you can play it with the shapes of E major.

The chords in the key

G is home; C and D create the movement and tension that lead back to it, and Em adds the minor colour. The four-note versions add the seventh.

Degree	Chord	Notes	Role	With seventh
I	G	G – B – D	Tonic: home	Gmaj7
ii	Am	A – C – E	Subdominant	Am7
iii	Bm	B – D – F♯	Tonic substitute	Bm7
IV	C	C – E – G	Subdominant	Cmaj7
V	D	D – F♯ – A	Dominant: tension	D7
vi	Em	E – G – B	Relative tonic	Em7
vii°	F♯dim	F♯ – A – C	Dominant (leading tone)	—

Scale

G – A – B – C – D – E – F♯

With a capo

To make a song sound in G major with easy open shapes:

Capo on fret 3: play the shapes of E major
Capo on fret 5: play the shapes of D major
Capo on fret 7: play the shapes of C major

Common progressions

Loop them in the chord player and use them as the base of a song.

G – D – Em – C I – V – vi – IV Play in the chord player
G – Em – C – D I – vi – IV – V Play in the chord player
Am7 – D7 – Gmaj7 – Gmaj7 ii7 – V7 – Imaj7 – Imaj7 Play in the chord player
G – C – D – G I – IV – V – I Play in the chord player

Frequently asked questions

What chords are in the key of G major?

Its seven chords are G, Am, Bm, C, D, Em and F♯dim.

How many sharps or flats does G major have?

It has one sharp in the key signature (F♯).

What is the relative key of G major?

Its relative key is E minor: they share the same notes and chords.