G Chord on Guitar
Notes G B D. Start with open G (3 2 0 0 0 3): middle finger on string 6 fret 3, index on string 5 fret 2, ring on string 1 fret 3, all six strings ring.
Chord · G major
Open G · 3 2 0 0 0 3
open strings
G (rock, 4-finger) · 3 2 0 0 3 3
open strings
Easy G (4 strings) · x x 0 0 0 3
open strings
E-shape barre (fret 3) · 3 5 5 4 3 3
barre, movable
D-shape, 4 strings (fret 5) · x x 5 7 8 7
movable, no open strings
A-shape barre (fret 10) · x 10 12 12 12 10
barre, movable
1 G3 B5 D
- String 6 (low E): middle (2), fret 3
- String 5 (A): index (1), fret 2
- String 4 (D): open
- String 3 (G): open
- String 2 (B): open
- String 1 (high e): ring (3), fret 3
- String 6 (low E): middle (2), fret 3
- String 5 (A): index (1), fret 2
- String 4 (D): open
- String 3 (G): open
- String 2 (B): ring (3), fret 3
- String 1 (high e): pinky (4), fret 3
- String 6 (low E): muted, do not play
- String 5 (A): muted, do not play
- String 4 (D): open
- String 3 (G): open
- String 2 (B): open
- String 1 (high e): ring (3), fret 3
- Barre: index finger flat across strings 6 to 1 at fret 3
- String 6 (low E): index (1), fret 3
- String 5 (A): ring (3), fret 5
- String 4 (D): pinky (4), fret 5
- String 3 (G): middle (2), fret 4
- String 2 (B): index (1), fret 3
- String 1 (high e): index (1), fret 3
- String 6 (low E): muted, do not play
- String 5 (A): muted, do not play
- String 4 (D): index (1), fret 5
- String 3 (G): middle (2), fret 7
- String 2 (B): pinky (4), fret 8
- String 1 (high e): ring (3), fret 7
- Barre: index finger flat across strings 5 to 1 at fret 10
- String 6 (low E): muted, do not play
- String 5 (A): index (1), fret 10
- String 4 (D): ring (3), fret 12
- String 3 (G): ring (3), fret 12
- String 2 (B): ring (3), fret 12
- String 1 (high e): index (1), fret 10
Notes and formula
| Degree | Note | Interval from G |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | G | root |
| 3 | B | major 3rd |
| 5 | D | perfect 5th |
Formula 1 3 5 (major).
Also written G major.
More on this chord type: Open (cowboy) chords
Capo shapes that sound as G
Open shapes you may already know, moved up with a capo.
E shape + capo 3
D shape + capo 5
C shape + capo 7
Need the capo fret for a whole song? Capo calculator: any song key, any shapes. New to the capo? How to use a capo.
Progressions with G
| Key · progression | Chords | Listen |
|---|---|---|
| G major I–V–vi–IV | G – D – Em – C | |
| G major I–IV–V–I | G – C – D – G | |
| C major I–vi–ii–V | C – Am – Dm – G | |
| C major I–vi–IV–V | C – Am – F – G | |
| D major vi–IV–I–V | Bm – G – D – A |
Keys that contain G
| Key | G is the |
|---|---|
| G major | I |
| C major | V |
| D major | IV |
| B minor | VI |
| E minor | III |
| A minor | VII |
Minor keys here use the natural minor scale.
Playing G: what goes wrong
Three-finger or four-finger G
The three-finger G (fingers 2, 1, 3) is the usual first one. The four-finger G adds the ring finger on string 2 fret 3, so the top two notes are D and G. Its fingers 3 and 4 can stay down when you change to Cadd9 (x 3 2 0 3 3) or Dsus4 (x x 0 2 3 3).
Open strings must ring
G uses three open strings (D, G, B). The index on string 5 tends to touch string 4: keep it on its tip so the open D rings. Check each string will show which one is dead.
Related chords
Learn and practise G
- Metronomepractise the change to G at 60 BPM
- How to read chord chartsstrings, frets, fingers, x and o
- Chord finder (chord namer)name any other shape you find
FAQ
What notes are in G?
G, B, D: the 1, 3, 5 of the G major chord.
What is the easiest G chord?
x x 0 0 0 3: one finger on string 1 at fret 3 and strum the top four strings. The notes are D, G, B and G, all part of the G chord, but it sounds thinner than the full G because the low G is missing.