G Major Guitar Chord

2134

G

NameG major
NotesGBD
IntervalsRroot3major 3rd55th

Root

Chord type

  • Space Play
  • Left arrowRight arrow Root
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Shape

Tone

Dots show

G major is a must-know open chord that rings big and full on all six strings. This version, with fingers on the 3rd fret of both the B and high E strings, is the one rock and folk players love.

How to play the G chord

  1. Put your 2nd finger on the 3rd fret of the low E string (G).
  2. Put your 1st finger on the 2nd fret of the A string (B).
  3. Put your 3rd finger on the 3rd fret of the B string (D).
  4. Put your 4th finger (pinky) on the 3rd fret of the high E string (G).
  5. Let the D and G strings ring open (D, G).
  6. Strum from the low E string down.

TipUse your 3rd and 4th fingers on the top two strings. It feels odd at first, but it makes the change to D easy: your 3rd finger stays on the 3rd fret of the B string for both chords.

6 ways to play G

Every shape below is a real G, checked note by note: G, B, D and nothing else. Easiest first, with the dark dot on the root.

G chord diagram, open: 3 2 0 0 3 3
Open EasyWith sound The one most players learn first. This is the shape you hear on the play button.
G chord diagram, open, another way: 3 2 0 0 0 3
Open, another way Easy An open-position version. Open strings ring, so it sounds full and easy to hold.
G chord diagram, 5th fret: x x 5 7 8 7
5th fret Medium 4 strings, root on the D string. Higher and lighter, great for a second guitar part.
G chord diagram, barre, 10th fret: x 10 12 12 12 10
Barre, 10th fret Medium Root on the A string. The open A shape moved up with a barre, a movable shape for any major chord.
G chord diagram, barre, 3rd fret: 3 5 5 4 3 3
Barre, 3rd fret Hard Root on the low E string. It's the open E shape moved up with your 1st finger as the nut, so you can slide it to any major chord.
G chord diagram, barre, 7th fret: x 10 9 7 8 7
Barre, 7th fret Hard The open C shape moved up, root on the A string. A fuller sound, but a stretch.

Gm vs G: hear the difference

Only one note changes: G has B (the major 3rd), Gm has Bb (the minor 3rd). Play them back to back:

G

GBD

Bright and settled

Gm

GBbD

Darker and sadder

Chord progressions with G

Chords make sense once you move between them. Press play to hear each progression with the real recordings, one chord per bar, then play along. Tap any chord to open its page.

The pop progression

I - V - vi - IV in G
G D Em C
Hundreds of hits loop these four chords.

Three chord rock

I - IV - V - I in G
G C D G
The backbone of rock, blues and folk.

As the IV chord

I - IV - V - I in D
D G A D
The same chord as the IV of another key.

Practice changing to G

Switching chords cleanly is what makes a new chord usable in a song. Start the timer, then go back and forth between G and the chord you picked, strumming each one, and keep a count in your head. Your hands stay on the guitar the whole time. When it beeps, type in your count and try to beat it next time.

G to D

60seconds

-last try

-your best

Practice G with

Songs that use G

  • Knockin' on Heaven's Door by Bob DylanHome chord, G-D-Am / G-D-C
  • Good Riddance (Time of Your Life) by Green DayHome chord, verse G-Cadd9-D
  • Brown Eyed Girl by Van MorrisonHome chord, verse G-C-G-D
  • Blackbird by The BeatlesHome chord, verse opens G-Am7-G/B-G

Learn it with a teacher

Diagrams show you where your fingers go. A teacher shows you how to make it sound good. Start with these video lessons from the Infinite Guitar library:

The Major Chord Free with an account · Mike Edwin Introduction To Guitar - Chords Free with an account · Chris Feener Chord Changes for Beginners - Transitions Free with an account · Chris Feener Mastering Bar Chords - Introduction Free with an account · Chris Feener

Access these lessons with a free account. No payment needed. Sign up free

Chords that go with G

DmajorEmminorCmajorAmajor

Other G chords

GmminorG7dominant 7Gmaj7major 7Gm7minor 7Gsus4suspended 4G7sus47 suspended 4G5power chordG6major 6Gm6minor 6G9dominant 9GaugaugmentedGdim7diminished 7

Other major chords

CC E GC#C# E# G#DD F# AEbEb G BbEE G# BFF A CF#F# A# C#AbAb C EbAA C# EBbBb D FBB D# F#

See all 154 chords in the Guitar Chord Chart

G chord FAQ

What notes are in a G chord?

G has 3 notes: G (the root), B (the major 3rd) and D (the 5th). Every G shape on the guitar is those notes in a different order.

What is the difference between Gm and G?

Only one note changes: G has B (the major 3rd), Gm has Bb (the minor 3rd). Use the player above to hear both.

Is G hard to play?

No, it's one of the easier ones: 4 fingers and no barre, and the open strings do some of the work. Practice switching to it from a chord you already know.

How do you play G as a barre chord?

Barre the 10th fret with your 1st finger, using the A shape (x-10-12-12-12-10). That shape is movable: slide it up or down and it plays a major chord on every fret.

What key is G in?

It's the I chord in G major, the IV chord in D major and the V chord in C major, so it fits in all three keys.