As you know, there is only one different note in G Major:  F sharp (or F#).  “E”, being the sixth scale degree in G Major, is the relative minor key.  Notice the key signature has a sharp symbol over the F note.  This implies that ALL F’s are now F sharps.

Below are the two scales with this key signature:  G Major and E minor.  There are two different fingerings presented for the major scale.  The second will be more difficult but try to practice it.  Mastering this pattern will make two octave scales easier to play.

Chords in the key of G Major

With one note sharpened, F#, and since F# appears three times in chords in G Major (after all, there are 3 tones in a triad), there are three new chords to learn.  Actually, there’s good news:  There’s only two chords to learn:  B minor and D major.  What about the chord built on F#?  Notice that this is the leading tone of G Major.  Triads built on leading tones are diminished triads and we’re not going to worry about these yet.

Here are the chords in G Major.  Compare these to C Major and notice how F sharp and F natural affect the chords:

Things to do:

1. Work on new scales, though they should be pretty easy.  Try working on the second fingering for G Major…this will be tough on the fingers.  Practice the scales as written above:  From G Major to E minor and with the same rhythm (note the quarter note on beat 4).
2. Work on new chords.  Practice strumming new chords.
3. Study how C Major and G Major relate to each other.
4. Be able to identify IV and V automatically in G major.  Be able to identify the relative minor automatically.