G (musical note)

${ \new Staff \with{ \magnifyStaff #3/2 } << \time 2/1 \override Score.TimeSignature #'stencil = ##f { \clef bass g1_G \clef treble g'_G } >> }$

G, also called Sol or So, is the fifth note of the fixed-do solfège starting on C. It is the fifth note and the eighth semitone of the solfège. As such it is the dominant, a perfect fifth above C or perfect fourth below C.

When calculated in equal temperament with a reference of A above middle C as 440 Hz, the frequency of middle G (G₄) note is approximately 391.995 Hz.^[1] See pitch for a discussion of historical variations in frequency.

It has enharmonic equivalents of F (F-double sharp) and A (A-double flat).

In the medieval period the musical note G was known as gesolreut within the Guidonian hand hexachord system.^[2]

Designation by octave

Scientific designation	Helmholtz designation	Octave name	Frequency (Hz)	MIDI note number
G₋₁	G͵͵͵ or ͵͵͵G or GGGG	Subsubcontra	12.25	7
G₀	G͵͵ or ͵͵G or GGG	Subcontra	24.5	19
G₁	G͵ or ͵G or GG	Contra	48.999	31
G₂	G	Great	97.999	43
G₃	g	Small	195.998	55
G₄	g′	One-lined	391.995	67
G₅	g′′	Two-lined	783.991	79
G₆	g′′′	Three-lined	1567.982	91
G₇	g′′′′	Four-lined	3135.963	103
G₈	g′′′′′	Five-lined	6271.927	115
G₉	g′′′′′′	Six-lined	12543.854	127
G₁₀	g′′′′′′′	Seven-lined	25087.708	N/A

Scales

Common scales beginning on G

G major: G A B C D E F♯ G
G natural minor: G A B♭ C D E♭ F G
G harmonic minor: G A B♭ C D E♭ F♯ G
G melodic minor ascending: G A B♭ C D E F♯ G
G melodic minor descending: G F E♭ D C B♭ A G

Diatonic scales

G Ionian: G A B C D E F♯ G
G Dorian: G A B♭ C D E F G
G Phrygian: G A♭ B♭ C D E♭ F G
G Lydian: G A B C♯ D E F♯ G
G Mixolydian: G A B C D E F G
G Aeolian: G A B♭ C D E♭ F G
G Locrian: G A♭ B♭ C D♭ E♭ F G

Jazz melodic minor

G ascending melodic minor: G A B♭ C D E F♯ G
G Dorian ♭2: G A♭ B♭ C D E F G
G Lydian augmented: G A B C♯ D♯ E F♯ G
G Lydian dominant: G A B C♯ D E F G
G Mixolydian ♭6: G A B C D E♭ F G
G Locrian ♮2: G A B♭ C D♭ E♭ F G
G Altered: G A♭ B♭ C♭ D♭ E♭ F G

In popular culture

It is the first note of the 2006 song "Welcome to the Black Parade" by My Chemical Romance, which made the note a meme.^[3]

References

^ Suits, B. H. (1998). "Physics of Music Notes - Scales: Just vs Equal Temperament". MTU.edu. Michigan Technological University. Archived from the original on 27 November 2023. Retrieved 5 February 2024.
^ "Gesolreut". Gesolreut. Grove Music Online. Oxford University Press. 2001. doi:10.1093/gmo/9781561592630.article.10989.
^ Emily Carter (29 October 2020). "Andrew Lloyd Webber Celebrates 'Iconic' Black Parade G Note". Kerrang!. Retrieved 19 December 2022.

[1] Suits, B. H. (1998). "Physics of Music Notes - Scales: Just vs Equal Temperament". MTU.edu. Michigan Technological University. Archived from the original on 27 November 2023. Retrieved 5 February 2024.

[2] "Gesolreut". Gesolreut. Grove Music Online. Oxford University Press. 2001. doi:10.1093/gmo/9781561592630.article.10989.

[3] Emily Carter (29 October 2020). "Andrew Lloyd Webber Celebrates 'Iconic' Black Parade G Note". Kerrang!. Retrieved 19 December 2022.

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