G Major Scale (G Ionian) on the Guitar – 5 CAGED Positions, Tabs and Theory

The G Major scale is one of the most popular scales on the guitar. This likely because the key of G itself is used frequently by guitarists. The chords in the key of G work nicely in the open position, so guitarists naturally gravitate towards using G regularly.

The notes in the G Major scale are:

G – A – B – C – D – E – F#

The G Major scale has one sharp in it. F#.

If you are interested in learning about modes and guitar scales, it should be pointed out that the G Major scale is effectively the same scale as the G ionian scale. For the purpose of the series of lessons on guitar modes, we are going to treat G ionian and G Major as an identical scale.

If you are unsure of what a major scale or ionian mode is, click on the link to the lessons.

Let’s look at the 5 CAGED positions for the G Major scale, as well as the open position.

G Major Scale CAGED Positions

Here are the 5 CAGED positions for the G Major scale on the guitar (notes and tabs).

G Major Scale in the 1st Position (lowest fret is 1)

G Major Scale Open Position Frets

G Major Scale in the 2nd Position (lowest fret is 2)

G Major Scale 2nd Position Frets
G Major Scale 2nd Position Notes

G Major Scale in the 2nd Position (lowest fret is 2)

G Major Scale 3rd Position Frets
G Major Scale 3rd Position Notes

G Major Scale in the 7th Position (lowest fret is 7)

G Major Scale 7th Position Frets
G Major Scale 7th Position Frets

G Major Scale in the 8th Position (lowest fret is 8)

G Major Scale 8th Position Frets
G Major Scale 8th Position Notes

G Major Scale in the 11th Position (lowest fret is 11)

G Major Scale 11th Position Frets
G Major Scale 11th Position Frets

There are all the G Major scale positions on the fretboard.

How to Use the G Major Scale

For the purpose of improvising, the G Major scale can be used over the G Major chord, the G Major 7 chord, as well as other chords within the key of G Major.

Chords in the Key of G Major

The key of G Major contains the following chords (triads and 7th chords):

Modes Of The G Major Scale

There are 7 modes in the key of G. We can produce these modes by playing the notes of the G Major scale, while starting on different notes of the scale. For example, to play the C lydian mode, we start on the note C and then play the notes of the G Major scale. To play the E Aeolian mode, we start on E and play through the notes of the G Major scale.

Here are the 7 modes in the key of G Major:

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