G Minor Guitar Chord (Gm)

111

Gm

NameG minor
NotesGBbD
IntervalsRrootb3minor 3rd55th

Root

Chord type

  • Space Play
  • Left arrowRight arrow Root
  • Up arrowDown arrow Chord type

Shape

Tone

Dots show

Gm doesn't have an easy six-string open shape, so this simple version uses just the top four strings, with one finger across the 3rd fret. When you're ready, the full barre at the 3rd fret is in the shapes below.

How to play the Gm chord

  1. Don't play the low E and A strings.
  2. Lay your 1st finger flat across the G to high E strings at the 3rd fret (a barre).
  3. Let the D string ring open (D).
  4. Strum from the D string down, skipping the strings above it.

TipLay your 1st finger flat across the G, B and high E strings at the 3rd fret and let the open D string ring underneath. Don't strum the two low strings.

4 ways to play Gm

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

Gm chord diagram, open: x x 0 3 3 3
Open MediumWith sound The standard shape, and the one you hear on the play button.
Gm chord diagram, 5th fret: x x 5 7 8 6
5th fret Medium 4 strings, root on the D string. Higher and lighter, great for a second guitar part.
Gm chord diagram, barre, 10th fret: x 10 12 12 11 10
Barre, 10th fret Medium Root on the A string. The open Am shape moved up with a barre, a movable shape for any minor chord.
Gm chord diagram, barre, 3rd fret: 3 5 5 3 3 3
Barre, 3rd fret Hard Root on the low E string. It's the open Em shape moved up with your 1st finger as the nut, so you can slide it to any minor chord.

G vs Gm: hear the difference

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

Gm

GBbD

Darker and sadder

G

GBD

Bright and settled

Chord progressions with Gm

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, from the minor

vi - IV - I - V in Bb
Gm Eb Bb F
Countless songs loop this.

The walk-down

i - bVII - bVI - V in G minor
Gm F Eb D
Also called the Andalusian cadence.

Minor key loop

i - iv - V - i in G minor
Gm Cm D Gm
The V is major here, which pulls you home.

Practice changing to Gm

Switching chords cleanly is what makes a new chord usable in a song. Start the timer, then go back and forth between Gm 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.

Gm to Eb

60seconds

-last try

-your best

Practice Gm with

Songs that use Gm

  • Black Magic Woman by SantanaDm7-Am7-Dm7-Gm-Dm7-A7-Dm
  • Evil Ways by SantanaWhole verse vamps Gm-C
  • Bohemian Rhapsody by QueenVerse Bb-Gm-Cm-F7
  • Yesterday by The BeatlesChorus Dm-Bb-Gm-C-F

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 Minor 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 Gm

EbmajorBbmajorFmajorDmajorCmminor

Other G chords

GmajorG7dominant 7Gmaj7major 7Gm7minor 7Gsus4suspended 4G7sus47 suspended 4G5power chordG6major 6Gm6minor 6G9dominant 9GaugaugmentedGdim7diminished 7

Other minor chords

CmC Eb GC#mC# E G#DmD F AEbmEb Gb BbEmE G BFmF Ab CF#mF# A C#G#mG# B D#AmA C EBbmBb Db FBmB D F#

See all 154 chords in the Guitar Chord Chart

Gm chord FAQ

What notes are in a Gm chord?

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

What is the difference between G and Gm?

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

Is Gm hard to play?

It's a step up from the first open chords, because the main shape uses a barre. Practice it a minute a day: a barre gets easier fast once your hand learns how little pressure it needs.

How do you play Gm as a barre chord?

Barre the 10th fret with your 1st finger, using the A shape (x-10-12-12-11-10). That shape is movable: slide it up or down and it plays a minor chord on every fret.

What key is Gm in?

It's the i chord in G minor, the vi chord in Bb major, the ii chord in F major and the iii chord in Eb major.