G major chords, relative minor and Camelot code (9B)
G major has 1 sharp (F♯). Its chords are G, Am, Bm, C, D, Em and F♯°. The relative minor is E minor and the Camelot code is 9B, so it mixes cleanly with 8B, 10B and 9A.
Notes in the G major scale
G major has 1 sharp (F♯).
| 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | 5 | 6 | 7 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| G | A | B | C | D | E | F♯ |
Chords in G major
Stack every other note of the scale on each degree and you get the seven chords that belong to the key:
| Degree | Chord | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| I | G | G · B · D |
| ii | Am | A · C · E |
| iii | Bm | B · D · F♯ |
| IV | C | C · E · G |
| V | D | D · F♯ · A |
| vi | Em | E · G · B |
| vii° | F♯° | F♯ · A · C |
Common progressions in G major
- G – D – Em – C (I–V–vi–IV): the most used pop progression of the last forty years.
- G – Em – C – D (I–vi–IV–V): the 1950s doo-wop turnaround.
- Am – D – G (ii–V–I): the jazz cadence.
- Em – C – G – D (vi–IV–I–V): the same four chords as I–V–vi–IV, started on the minor chord for a darker feel.
Keys that mix with G major
G major is 9B on the Camelot wheel. For a clean blend, go to a key next to it:
| Camelot | Key | Why it works |
|---|---|---|
| 8B | C major | One step round the wheel: shares six of its seven notes |
| 10B | D major | One step the other way: also shares six of seven notes |
| 9A | E minor | The relative minor: exactly the same notes |
How the wheel works is in the Camelot wheel explained, and how to use it in a set is in harmonic mixing for DJs.
Relative and parallel keys
The relative minor, E minor, uses exactly the same notes with a different home chord. The parallel minor, G minor, keeps G as home but changes three notes. More on the difference in relative major and minor keys.
Questions people ask
What chords are in G major?
G (I), Am (ii), Bm (iii), C (IV), D (V), Em (vi) and F♯° (vii°).
What is the relative minor of G major?
E minor. It uses the same 7 notes, G, A, B, C, D, E, F♯, but centres on E instead of G.
What is the Camelot code for G major?
9B. In Open Key notation it is 2d.
What keys mix well with G major?
C major (8B), D major (10B) and E minor (9A). They sit next to 9B on the Camelot wheel.
How many sharps or flats does G major have?
1 sharp (F♯).