What is the relative minor of G major?

E minor — it uses the same key signature (one sharp) and starts on the 6th degree of the G major scale.

What are the chords in the key of G major?

G major (I), A minor (ii), B minor (iii), C major (IV), D major (V), E minor (vi), and F# diminished (vii°).

Key of G major — notes, key signature, and chords

G major has one sharp — F# — and is one of the most common keys in folk, country, and pop music. It sits one step clockwise from C on the circle of fifths, and its scale is the white-key C major scale with every F raised to F#.

Key signature

1sharp

1.F#

Added in the standard order of sharps.

Diatonic chords

The seven triads built on each scale degree. These are the chords you hear used most in G major:

Roman	Chord	Quality	Notes
I	G	major	G · B · D
ii	Am	minor	A · C · E
iii	Bm	minor	B · D · F#
IV	C	major	C · E · G
V	D	major	D · F# · A
vi	Em	minor	E · G · B
vii°	F#°	diminished	F# · A · C

Common progressions

The most common progression in G major is I–V–vi–IV (G–D–Em–C) — the spine of countless pop songs. Other staples: I–vi–IV–V (G–Em–C–D, the 50s doo-wop), ii–V–I (Am–D–G, the jazz cadence), and the 12-bar blues built on G–C–D. Because G major sits next to both D major and C major on the circle of fifths, it modulates smoothly to either.

Relative minor

The relative minor of G major is E minor — it shares the same key signature, just centred on the 6th degree of the G major scale (E). A piece can move between G major and E minor freely without any change of accidentals.

Common mistakes

The single sharp is on the 7th scale degree (F#), not on the tonic itself — a common beginner confusion. Watch for accidental F-naturals when sight-reading: every F you see in a piece in G major is F# unless explicitly cancelled with a natural sign. The relative minor of G major is E minor, which shares the same key signature; if a piece in G major suddenly feels darker and centres around E, it has likely modulated to its relative minor.

Drill it

The Circle of Fifths trainer drills every key signature — G major included — with timed flash cards and best-time tracking.

Open the Circle of Fifths Trainer →Or try today's Etudle puzzle

Frequently asked

How many sharps does G major have?: G major has one sharp: F#.
What are the notes in the G major scale?: G, A, B, C, D, E, F#.
What is the relative minor of G major?: E minor — it uses the same key signature (one sharp) and starts on the 6th degree of the G major scale.
What are the chords in the key of G major?: G major (I), A minor (ii), B minor (iii), C major (IV), D major (V), E minor (vi), and F# diminished (vii°).