What is a Key on guitar? The EASY key of G | Beginners Music Theory

How can I know the key of a song?
The best thing to keep in mind is- more often than not, the key of the song is;

The first chord in the chord sequence
The last chord in the chord sequence
The most common chord in the chord sequence

If 2 or more of the above applies, then that is usually the key (it doesn’t always need all 3!) At this Level, we’re looking at the ‘Key of G’. Practically, this means that G will likely be the first chord in the chord sequence, or the last, or crop up the most out of any chord in the song. However, it is the other chords in the song, the ‘family’ of chords, that tell us we are in the key of G.
Common chords in the Key of G
G – Am – Bm – C – D – Em

Put simply, if a song uses these chords in any order, it is in the key of G. If a song uses say, Dm, instead of D, that usually means the song isn’t in G (even though it could be- more detail on this at level 8)

[hankmoody]

Useful fact:

In a specific key the first, fourth and fifth chord in the scale are mayor, while the second, third and sixth are minor chords.

Say you are in a key of C. The major scale goes like this: C D E F G A B

the first chord in the key of C is the C, and will be mayor. The fourth and fifth are F and G and they are also mayor.
the minor chords are the second, third and sixth, so the D, E and A are minor.

So in the key of C the main chords are C Dm Em F G and Am

[ElCapi]

thank you for being the only yt guitar teacher that isnt fucking annoying

[andyhanasky]

That lesson actually put it in perspective for me great explanation

[tinyrobot]

I feel like if Rachel and Ross had a kid, he would look like Andy if he grew up lol

[NormanChester]

God bless you Andy, trying to learn something today

[rzsz]

I love the Jim Beam guitar on the wall, what a beauty!

[ronlight]

A little light on the theory, Andy.  Next time, please explain more about what keys are, how they work and why they work the way they do.  Only then segue into the practical application (as you do in this video) of a given key.  Thank you.

[PetervanderPlaat]

Thank you for this excellent tutorial. I learned a lot.

[racerz]

Starting to solo and this filled in some holes. Thanks man!

[gnostictv]

Greatest teachear dude seriuosly thank you for makin it easy to understan this finally

[beccagriffon]

Thank you for your videos. They are very helpful. btw love the Jim Beam guitar on the wall!

[bigbaws]

Great Lesson Andy Many. I have written my own song in the key of G but  I am struggling with a bridge. I would appreciate it if you could help me please?

[TheJoker]

I didn't know danger Dolan taught guitar

[adiedits]

I found a chord progression I like: it uses C, Am, Dm, G. 
Dm is not even in the key of G though, does this mean that sometimes other chords will work even if they are not in that key? 

[javyandrade]

you have great lessons my man-thanx again

[BirdsOfGlass]

So the key has nothing to do with the tuning? A key of A in a standard tuning would just start with an A or a variation of A? I think I'm making this more difficult than it needs to be.

[bjm]

Hi Andy. How do you decide two keys to use for two guitars playing the same tune together and to sound good?

[newtoatheism]

Is it bad if the chords sound the same? Cause there are some chords that you can barely tell apart

[instrumentenfreak]

You have a great way to explain things :-)

[deanmorton]

Andy you are a great guitar teacher.Are you a Yorkshireman ?