transpose.siteChords in the key of G (G major)
Songs in G use the seven notes of the G major scale: G A B C D E F♯. The key signature has 1 (F♯). The seven chords built on these notes are the ones you will meet most in G.
Diatonic chords in G
| Degree | I | ii | iii | IV | V | vi | vii° |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Triad | G | Am | Bm | C | D | Em | F♯dim |
| Seventh | Gmaj7 | Am7 | Bm7 | Cmaj7 | D7 | Em7 | F♯m7(♭5) |
| Role | tonic (home) | subdominant side | tonic substitute | subdominant | dominant (tension) | tonic substitute, relative minor | dominant substitute |
I
ii
iii
IV
V
vi
Common progressions in G
- G – D – Em – C (I – V – vi – IV, the most common pop progression)
- G – Em – C – D (I – vi – IV – V, the '50s progression, ballads)
- Em – C – G – D (vi – IV – I – V, the same four chords with a minor feel)
- Am – D – G (ii – V – I, the classic jazz and ballad cadence)
- G – C – D (I – IV – V, rock and blues basics)
Playing in G with a capo
G is an easy key you can play with open chords. Other ways:
- Capo on fret 3 + play E shapes (chords in E)
- Capo on fret 5 + play D shapes (chords in D)
- Capo on fret 7 + play C shapes (chords in C)
To move a whole PDF score to an easier key, open it in the free PDF transposer: chords and TAB change together.
Relative minor: E minor
E minor (Em) uses the same seven notes as G major. If a song starts and ends on Em, it is in E minor.
Chords in E minor: i Em · ii° F♯dim · III G · iv Am · v Bm · VI C · VII D (B7 is common in place of v)
- Em – C – G – D (i – VI – III – VII, minor-key rock and ballads)
- Em – Am – Bm – Em (i – iv – v – i, minor-key basics (V7 often replaces v))
- Em – D – C – D (i – VII – VI – VII, a rock riff progression)