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Guitar chords · Minor

Gm chord on guitar

Gm (G minor) has three notes: G, B♭ and D, the , ♭3 and 5.

Shapes

How to play Gm

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

Gm has no common . Play it as the E shape at 3 or the A shape at fret 10. A keeps its fingering anywhere on the neck: slide it up or down and the , on the lowest played string, names the chord.

  • E shape · fret 3

    3frR5R♭35RGDGB♭DG

  • A shape · fret 10

    10fr×R5R♭35GDGB♭D
Name a shape you're holding: the chord finder

Notes and formula

What makes Gm minor

A minor chord lowers the 3rd of the major chord by a . That one note gives it its darker, sadder colour.

  • 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 Gm a minor chord; you can leave out the 5th.

  1. GRroot
  2. B♭♭3essential
  3. D5optional
EADGBE0135791215GGGGGGGGGB♭DB♭DB♭DB♭DB♭DB♭DB♭DB♭D
  • G, the root
  • Other chord tones

Keys

Keys with Gm

Gm belongs to six keys: E♭ major (iii), B♭ major (vi), F major (ii), C minor (v), G minor (i) and D minor (iv).

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 Gm

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

  • The pop axis in B♭ major

    I – V – vi – IV

    1. B♭
    2. F
    3. Gm
    4. E♭

    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

  • '50s doo-wop in B♭ major

    I – vi – IV – V

    1. B♭
    2. Gm
    3. E♭
    4. F

    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 G minor

    i – VI – III – VII

    1. Gm
    2. E♭
    3. B♭
    4. F

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

    Heard in Zombie, Numb, Despacito

  • Andalusian cadence in G minor

    i – VII – VI – V

    1. Gm
    2. F
    3. E♭
    4. D

    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

Gm over another bass note

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

  • Gm/B♭

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

  • Gm/D

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

  • Gm/F

    Gm over F, a passing bass a below the , as in Gm, Gm/F, Gm/E, E♭.

  • Gm/E

    Gm over E, a passing bass a major 6th above the , as in Gm, Gm/F, Gm/E, E♭.

Same root

Other chords on G

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

Questions

Gm, in short

What notes are in the Gm chord?
Gm (G minor) has three notes: G, B♭ and D, the , ♭3 and 5.
How do you play Gm on guitar?
Gm has no common . Play it as the E shape at 3 or the A shape at fret 10.
What key is Gm in?
Gm belongs to six keys: E♭ major (iii), B♭ major (vi), F major (ii), C minor (v), G minor (i) and D minor (iv).
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