G major scale on piano
The G major scale uses the notes G - A - B - C - D - E - F♯ and has 1 sharp.
Numbers on the keys are right-hand fingers (1 = thumb, 5 = little finger).
G major scale fingering
| Hand | G | A | B | C | D | E | F♯ | G |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Right hand | 1 | 2 | 3 | 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | 5 |
| Left hand | 5 | 4 | 3 | 2 | 1 | 3 | 2 | 1 |
Practice each hand alone, slowly, until the thumb crossing feels smooth. Then play hands together at a tempo where you make no mistakes, and raise it a little each day.
Chords in G major
Build a triad on every note of the scale and you get the seven chords that belong to this key:
| Degree | Chord | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| I | G major | G - B - D |
| ii | A minor | A - C - E |
| iii | B minor | B - D - F♯ |
| IV | C major | C - E - G |
| V | D major | D - F♯ - A |
| vi | E minor | E - G - B |
| vii° | F♯ diminished | F♯ - A - C |
The most common progression in pop music in this key is G - D - Em - C (I - V - vi - IV).
Relative key
E minor is the relative minor of G major. Both scales use the same notes; they simply start on a different note, which changes the mood.
Frequently asked questions
What are the notes of the G major scale?
G major: G, A, B, C, D, E, F♯, G.
How many sharps or flats are in G major?
G major has 1 sharp (F♯).
What is the relative minor of G major?
E minor. It shares the same notes and key signature as G major.