Gm Chord on Guitar
Notes G B♭ D. Start with the 4-string Gm (x x 0 3 3 3): index flat across strings 3, 2 and 1 at fret 3, with the open D string.
Chord · Gm minor
Easy Gm (4 strings) · x x 0 3 3 3
open strings
Em-shape barre (fret 3) · 3 5 5 3 3 3
barre, movable
Dm-shape, 4 strings (fret 5) · x x 5 7 8 6
movable, no open strings
Am-shape barre (fret 10) · x 10 12 12 11 10
barre, movable
1 G♭3 B♭5 D
- Barre: index finger flat across strings 3 to 1 at fret 3
- String 6 (low E): muted, do not play
- String 5 (A): muted, do not play
- String 4 (D): open
- String 3 (G): index (1), fret 3
- String 2 (B): index (1), fret 3
- String 1 (high e): index (1), 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): index (1), fret 3
- 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): ring (3), fret 7
- String 2 (B): pinky (4), fret 8
- String 1 (high e): middle (2), fret 6
- 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): pinky (4), fret 12
- String 2 (B): middle (2), fret 11
- String 1 (high e): index (1), fret 10
Notes and formula
| Degree | Note | Interval from G |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | G | root |
| ♭3 | B♭ | minor 3rd |
| 5 | D | perfect 5th |
Formula 1 ♭3 5 (minor).
Also written Gmin, G minor.
More on this chord type: Open (cowboy) chords
Capo shapes that sound as Gm
Open shapes you may already know, moved up with a capo.
Em shape + capo 3
Dm shape + capo 5
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 Gm
| Key · progression | Chords | Listen |
|---|---|---|
| G minor i–iv–v–i | Gm – Cm – Dm – Gm | |
| G minor i–VI–III–VII | Gm – E♭ – B♭ – F | |
| B♭ major I–V–vi–IV | B♭ – F – Gm – E♭ | |
| B♭ major I–vi–IV–V | B♭ – Gm – E♭ – F | |
| F major I–vi–ii–V | F – Dm – Gm – C |
Keys that contain Gm
| Key | Gm is the |
|---|---|
| G minor | i |
| C minor | v |
| D minor | iv |
| B♭ major | vi |
| F major | ii |
| E♭ major | iii |
Minor keys here use the natural minor scale.
Playing Gm: what goes wrong
Keep the open D clear
In the small Gm the open string 4 is the 5th of the chord and must ring. Keep the index barre straight and only on strings 3 to 1 so its tip does not touch string 4.
The full Gm is the Em shape at fret 3
The barre Gm (3 5 5 3 3 3) is open Em moved up three frets with the index as the nut. The same grip at fret 1 is Fm and at fret 5 is Am.
Related chords
Learn and practise Gm
- Metronomepractise the change to Gm 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 Gm?
G, B♭, D: the 1, ♭3, 5 of the Gm minor chord.
What is the easiest Gm chord?
x x 0 3 3 3: one finger across strings 3, 2 and 1 at fret 3 plus the open D string. Strings 5 and 6 are not played.