Originally Posted by: wmbiggle

I was looking at the G major scale and noted the f#"s. I can play that ok. In a book of beginner songs I am seeing songs in the G major key signature. However these basic songs do not have any f# notes.

My question: why does the song have a G major key when it plays the same as a C major key?

In general, it's possible for a song to be in a certain key but not use all the notes of the scale that forms the key. Especially beginner songs, might not need to use as many chords or notes.

Consider that most nursery rhymes are very simple melodies that don't contain all the notes of a scale. But they still clearly imply the scale & a key signature because of the order & relationship of the chords. If a song starts & ends on a G chord, then you are probably in G major.

For example, if you play Mary Had a Little Lamb in G major the notes are:

b-b-a-g-a-b-b-b

a-a-a

b-d-d

b-b-a-g-a-b-b-b

a-a-b-a-g

No f#s neeeded. :)[br][br]However, if you consider the chord progression implied by that melody, then you see quickly see that it implies a G major & a D major chord as the tonic & dominant.

G

b-b-a-g-a-b-b-b

D

a-a-a

G

b-d-d

G

b-b-a-g-a-b-b-b

D G

a-a-b-a-g

And the D major chord does have an f# note in it.

Hope this helps! Please ask more if necessary!