G Major Scale on Guitar: Notes, Shapes and Positions

The G major scale is G, A, B, C, D, E and F♯. Its formula is 1 2 3 4 5 6 7. Start with the root on the low E string at the third fret, then learn the five positions below, from the E shape at the second fret up the neck.

Keys

G Major Scale: 5 Positions

7C shape
9A shape
12G shape
2E shape
4D shape

CAGED Chords — G

7C shape
10A shape
12G shape
3E shape
5D shape

Triads — G

Root position

7C shape
10A shape
12G shape
3E shape

Notes and formula

Degree1234567
NoteGABCDEF♯

G major has 1 sharp (F♯).

The G major scale across the whole neck

Every G major scale note from the nut to the 15th fret: E on the low E string, fret 0; F sharp on the low E string, fret 2; G (root) on the low E string, fret 3; A on the low E string, fret 5; B on the low E string, fret 7; C on the low E string, fret 8; D on the low E string, fret 10; E on the low E string, fret 12; F sharp on the low E string, fret 14; G (root) on the low E string, fret 15; A on the A string, fret 0; B on the A string, fret 2; C on the A string, fret 3; D on the A string, fret 5; E on the A string, fret 7; F sharp on the A string, fret 9; G (root) on the A string, fret 10; A on the A string, fret 12; B on the A string, fret 14; C on the A string, fret 15; D on the D string, fret 0; E on the D string, fret 2; F sharp on the D string, fret 4; G (root) on the D string, fret 5; A on the D string, fret 7; B on the D string, fret 9; C on the D string, fret 10; D on the D string, fret 12; E on the D string, fret 14; G (root) on the G string, fret 0; A on the G string, fret 2; B on the G string, fret 4; C on the G string, fret 5; D on the G string, fret 7; E on the G string, fret 9; F sharp on the G string, fret 11; G (root) on the G string, fret 12; A on the G string, fret 14; B on the B string, fret 0; C on the B string, fret 1; D on the B string, fret 3; E on the B string, fret 5; F sharp on the B string, fret 7; G (root) on the B string, fret 8; A on the B string, fret 10; B on the B string, fret 12; C on the B string, fret 13; D on the B string, fret 15; E on the high e string, fret 0; F sharp on the high e string, fret 2; G (root) on the high e string, fret 3; A on the high e string, fret 5; B on the high e string, fret 7; C on the high e string, fret 8; D on the high e string, fret 10; E on the high e string, fret 12; F sharp on the high e string, fret 14; G (root) on the high e string, fret 15.

G Major scale, frets 0–15. Roots (G) in green.

The root, G, sits on the low E string at the third fret and on the A string at the tenth fret. Those are the anchors every position is built around.

All six open strings are notes of G major, so open strings ring true anywhere in the key.

Position by position: E shape from the second fret; D shape from the fourth fret; C shape from the seventh fret; A shape from the ninth fret; G shape from the twelfth fret. The G shape is shown at the twelfth fret; it also works twelve frets lower, in open position.

Chords in G major

The seven chords of G major are I G, ii Am, iii Bm, IV C, V D, vi Em and vii° F♯°.

So I–IV–V in G is G, C and D; the pop progression I–V–vi–IV is G, D, Em, C; and ii–V–I is Am, D, G.

Its relative minor is E minor, the sixth note: the same seven notes, centred on E.

This is an open-chord key: G, Am, C, D and Em can all be played as open chords, which is why so many songs on guitar are written in G.

The nearest keys are a fifth away: D major differs by one note: C♯ instead of C; C major differs by one note: F instead of F♯.

To learn it, play the E shape from the second fret slowly, saying each note name, then link it to the next position up. Land on G at the end of each run, and you'll hear the scale settle on its root.

G Major scale FAQs

Which notes make up the G major scale?

G, A, B, C, D, E and F♯. The formula is 1 2 3 4 5 6 7.

What is the relative minor of G major?

E minor. It uses the same seven notes as G major, starting from the sixth note, E.

Where do I play the G major scale on guitar?

Start from the root on the low E string at the third fret. The E shape from the second fret is the lowest of the five positions, and the other four continue up the neck to the 12th fret and beyond.

Learn more

The major scale on guitar explains how the scale is built and how to use it, and the guitar scale lessons set out what to learn next. The scale library has every scale in every key.