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G Major (Ionian) Scale for Guitar

The same major scale as C, in one of the guitar’s most-used keys.

The major scale on G — the same pattern as C major, in a guitar-friendly key.
The home key of countless folk, country and rock songs.
This box is the CAGED-E shape, root on the 6th string, 3rd fret.
Shares every note with its relative minor, E minor.

Position 1 — root on the 6th string, 3rd fret

Root2nd3rd4th5th6th7th

Notes: G – A – B – C – D – E – F# · Formula: 1 – 2 – 3 – 4 – 5 – 6 – 7

Across the Fretboard — Full Neck

Root2nd3rd4th5th6th7th

One common CAGED approach; positions vary between teachers/methods.

Every G Major (Ionian) note from the open strings to the 17th fret — the root (white ring) repeats every octave.

Hear It For Yourself

This scale sounds even better than it looks.

Light up G Major (Ionian) across the whole fretboard and hear every note in context.

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Questions about G Major (Ionian)

What notes are in the G Major (Ionian) scale?

The G Major (Ionian) scale contains the notes G, A, B, C, D, E, F#. Its interval formula is 1 - 2 - 3 - 4 - 5 - 6 - 7, built from G as the root.

What notes are in the G major scale?

G, A, B, C, D, E and F♯ — the major scale with a single sharp (F♯). It has the exact same interval pattern as C major, just starting on G, which is why it feels so natural once the C major shape is familiar. Its relative minor, E minor, uses the same seven notes.

How it compares

Major vs Natural MinorComparison Major vs MixolydianComparison Major vs Major PentatonicComparison Compare any two scalesInteractive tool