Harmonic Circles
Harmonic Circle of G Major (G)
I – vi – ii – V7Harmonic progression with an interactive player and guitar diagrams.
Sequence and Tonal Functions of the Circle G
To achieve smooth chord transitions, always identify anchor fingers (common notes held on the fretboard) and keep your wrist relaxed without sudden arm movements. Practice the loop at a slow tempo before speeding up.
How the chords connect in G major
The progression
G, Em, Am and D7 make up the G major circle, as degrees I, vi, ii and V7.
The notes of each chord
G holds G, B and D. In Em you hear E, G and B. Am holds A, C and E. In D7 you hear D, F#, A and C.
From one chord to the next
G and Em keep G and B in common. Also, one hand position stays put. From Em to Am, E stays, and one hand position stays put. Am and D7 keep A and C in common. Also, two hand positions stay put.
Back to the start
Going back from D7 to G, F# rises a semitone to G and C falls a semitone to B. The two chords share D.
The hand
G presses three positions and leaves three strings open. Em rings with four strings open and two fretted positions. Am presses three positions and leaves two strings open, leaving string 6 unplayed. D7 rings with string 4 open and three fretted positions, leaving strings 6 and 5 unplayed. The highest fret in the circle is fret 3, in G. None of the four chords uses a barre.
G harmonic circle diagram
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Key map: G
- Key signature
- 1 sharp
- Scale notes
- G – A – B – C – D – E – F#
- Relative key
- Em
- How to play it with a capo
- open shapes, no capoE shapes + capo on fret 3D shapes + capo on fret 5C shapes + capo on fret 7
Download the printable A4 sheet (this circle and 3 more)The G circle for guitar
The thumb plays the 6th string for G and Em, the 5th string for Am, and the 4th string for D7.
Show tab and notation
Show the piano version (grand staff)
The G circle on the staff
The left hand plays G, E, A, and D in the bass.
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Show the notes as text, beat by beat
Bar 1 · G
| Count | 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Right hand (RH) | D5B4G4 | D5B4G4 | ||
| Left hand (LH) | G2 | D3 |
Bar 2 · Em
| Count | 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Right hand (RH) | B4G4E4 | B4G4E4 | ||
| Left hand (LH) | E3 | B3 |
Bar 3 · Am
| Count | 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Right hand (RH) | E4C4A3 | E4C4A3 | ||
| Left hand (LH) | A2 | E3 |
Bar 4 · D7
| Count | 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Right hand (RH) | C5A4F#4D4 | C5A4F#4D4 | ||
| Left hand (LH) | D3 | A3 |
Famous Songs Using the Circle (G)
Well-known songs that use this progression
"Perfect"
G - Em - C - DContemporary pop ballad in 12/8 time using the G Major circle.
"Blue Moon"
G - Em - Am - D7Classic jazz and doo-wop standard in continuous cyclic progression.
"Last Kiss"
G - Em - C - DUninterrupted four-chord loop throughout the entire piece.
Frequently Asked Questions about the Circle (G)
Concrete, direct answers on fingering, strumming, and music theory
Which chords make up the G harmonic circle and what order are they played in?
The G harmonic circle consists of four chords following the I - vi - ii - V7 formula: G - Em - Am - D7. In guitar practice, it is played in 4/4 time, typically giving one measure (4 beats) to each chord before transitioning to the next in a seamless loop.
What famous songs use the G harmonic circle?
The G harmonic circle is used in worldwide hit songs such as "Perfect" (Ed Sheeran), "Blue Moon" (The Marcels / Richard Rodgers). In these works, the G - Em - Am - D7 cycle creates a continuous loop of home, movement, tension, and resolution.
What is the harmonic function of each chord in the G circle?
In the G circle, the first chord (G) provides the home tonic (Degree I/i); the second (Em) introduces relative contrast; the third (Am) prepares motion; and the fourth (D7) creates dominant seventh tension (V7) resolving smoothly back to the tonic.
What is the best strumming pattern to practice the G harmonic circle?
To build muscle memory and steady rhythm on the G circle, practice with a Pop Ballad or Acoustic Strumming pattern at 75 to 85 BPM. Emphasize the root bass note on beat 1 followed by relaxed down and up strums on beats 2, 3, and 4.
Want to know how each chord feels?
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