G major

The scale with one sharp

G major is the first sharp key on the circle of fifths. If you start the major pattern on G, an F♯ appears automatically, otherwise the semitone step would not fall in the right place. The F♯ appears as a sharp in the key signature at the start of the line and applies to the whole piece.

In sharp keys the tonic lies a semitone above the last sharp: last sharp F♯, so G major. The same key signature also belongs to the relative key E minor.

The chords of G major

On the seven degrees you get G, Am, Bm, C, D, Em and F♯°. The order major–minor–minor–major–major–minor–diminished holds as in every major key. The progression I–V–vi–IV is G–D–Em–C here, and C–G–Am–F in C major. Same function, same effect: if you think in degrees, you transpose effortlessly.

Pieces in G major

Both sheets carry one sharp in the key signature. The ending on G confirms the key.

Piano

• Menuett G-Dur Christian Petzold, BWV Anh. 114, from the Notebook for Anna Magdalena Bach · piano · 1 page

  3/4 with one sharp in the key signature. The piece starts on the note D and returns to G at the close of the movement.

• Sonate G-Dur Domenico Scarlatti, K. 455 · piano or harpsichord · 4 pages

  Headed “Allegro”, with one sharp in the key signature. The ending on the last page rests on the note G.

Common mistakes

• Forgetting the F♯: With one sharp in the key signature it applies to every F of the whole piece.
• Confusing G major and E minor: Both have one sharp. The ending decides.
• Spelling: The note letter is a capital and the mode word is lowercase: “G major”, “E minor”.