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Guitar chords · Major

G chord on guitar

G (G major) has three notes: G, B and D, the , 3 and 5.

Shapes

How to play G

Strum a shape to hear it, or pick it one string at a time. R marks the ; the other numbers are the chord tones.

G has an , and two : the E shape at 3 and the A shape at fret 10. A movable shape keeps its fingering anywhere on the neck: slide it up or down and the , on the lowest played string, names the chord.

  • Open

    R3RGBDGBG

  • E shape · fret 3

    3frR5R35RGDGBDG

  • A shape · fret 10

    10fr×R5R35GDGBD
Name a shape you're holding: the chord finder

Notes and formula

What makes G major

A major chord stacks a major 3rd and a perfect 5th on the . It is the bright, settled sound most songs start and end on.

  • 1Root: the note the chord is named after. Keep it.
  • 3Essential: makes the chord what it is. Never drop it.
  • 5Optional: drop it first when you run out of fingers.

The 3rd makes G a major chord; you can leave out the 5th.

  1. GRroot
  2. B3essential
  3. D5optional
EADGBE0135791215GGGGGGGGGBDBDBDBDBDBDBDBD
  • G, the root
  • Other chord tones

Keys

Keys with G

G belongs to seven keys: C major (V), G major (I), D major (IV), A minor (VII), E minor (III), B minor (VI) and C minor (V, ).

Numerals follow the key's own scale, so III, VI and VII in a minor key are its own major chords. A ♭ or ♯ in front marks a chord from outside the key. How Roman numerals work

Progressions

Progressions with G

Common progressions that use G, each in a key that spells it G. The outlined chord is G.

  • The pop axis in G major

    I – V – vi – IV

    1. G
    2. D
    3. Em
    4. C

    Four chords that carry a huge share of modern pop. All four sit next to each other on the circle.

    Heard in Let It Be, No Woman No Cry, With or Without You

  • Three-chord rock in G major

    I – IV – V – IV

    1. G
    2. C
    3. D
    4. C

    Tonic, subdominant, dominant: the key and its two neighbours on the outer ring.

    Heard in La Bamba, Twist and Shout, Wild Thing

  • '50s doo-wop in G major

    I – vi – IV – V

    1. G
    2. Em
    3. C
    4. D

    The vi chord softens the move from I to IV before the V pulls back home.

    Heard in Stand by Me, Every Breath You Take

  • Minor pop in A minor

    i – VI – III – VII

    1. Am
    2. F
    3. C
    4. G

    The pop axis rotated to start on the relative minor — same four chords, darker centre.

    Heard in Zombie, Numb, Despacito

  • Andalusian cadence in A minor

    i – VII – VI – V

    1. Am
    2. G
    3. F
    4. E

    A stepwise walk down to a major V borrowed from harmonic minor. Flamenco's signature move.

    Heard in Hit the Road Jack, Runaway, Stray Cat Strut

Slash chords

G over another bass note

A keeps G on top and puts another note in the bass: the letter after the slash is the lowest note you play.

  • G/B

    G with its 3rd, B, in the bass: the first inversion.

  • G/D

    G with its 5th, D, in the bass: the second inversion.

  • G/F♯

    G over F♯, a passing bass a below the , as in G, G/F♯, Em.

  • G/F

    G over F, a passing bass a below the , as in G, G/F, C.

Same root

Other chords on G

Change one or two notes and the same gives a different colour. Compare them by ear.

Questions

G, in short

What notes are in the G chord?
G (G major) has three notes: G, B and D, the , 3 and 5.
How do you play G on guitar?
G has an , and two : the E shape at 3 and the A shape at fret 10.
What key is G in?
G belongs to seven keys: C major (V), G major (I), D major (IV), A minor (VII), E minor (III), B minor (VI) and C minor (V, ).
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