Scale degrees · G major

The 7 of G is F♯

The 7 (seven) of G is F♯ (F sharp): a major seventh above the root.

G — the root, 1F♯ — the 7

How to find it

Count letters first, the root included: G, A, B, C, D, E, F. A 7th lands on F.

Then the sound: a major seventh is 11 semitones above G, and the F that is 11 semitones up is F♯.

That is why it is F♯ and not G♭: G♭ is the same key on the piano, but from G it would be an unison, not a 7th.

Where you meet it

The 7 is a half step below the root: the major seventh, the 7th of the maj7 chord and the leading tone of the key.

In Gmaj7:

G · B · D · F♯

The 7 in every key

KeyThe 7
CB
GF♯
DC♯
AG♯
ED♯
BA♯
F♯E♯
D♭C
A♭G
E♭D
B♭A
FE

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