G major
Major key with one sharp (F-sharp); relative major of E minor.
What it means
G major is the major key with one sharp in its key signature, F-sharp. Its tonic is G, and its relative minor is E minor. The scale runs G, A, B, C, D, E, F-sharp, G. On the circle of fifths it lies one step on the sharp side of C major and is thus the dominant key of C major.
Musical use
G major is regarded as a key of cheerful, natural, and often pastoral expression and suits string instruments and guitars well because several open strings belong to the key. Well-known works in G major are Johann Sebastian Bach's third Brandenburg Concerto, Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart's Eine kleine Nachtmusik K. 525, and Ludwig van Beethoven's fourth piano concerto op. 58.
G major should be distinguished from G-flat major, which despite the similar name has six flats, and from E minor, its relative minor with the same key signature but a more thoughtful character. G major differs from C major only through F-sharp instead of F.
Performance practice
Practise the scale and the triads G–B–D, C–E–G, and D–F-sharp–A slowly and pay attention to F-sharp as the only accidental. On string instruments use the resonance of the open G and D strings for a full sound.