G Guitar Chord
G Major · G–B–D
G is the G major chord: G–B–D. Its sound is bright and resolved — the foundational happy sound of pop, rock, country, and folk.
You'll meet G constantly because it lives in several common keys: it's the I chord in G major, the IV chord in D major, and the V chord in C major. That makes it a building block of I–IV–V and I–V–vi–IV progressions in those keys.
The easiest way to play G is the open-position shape (3 2 0 0 0 3, low E string to high E string), which uses open strings and stays in the first few frets. Below you'll find 6 ways to play it across the neck, from open position to barre and shell voicings, with the theory behind the chord and the progressions it lives in.
How to Play G: 6 Voicings
Frets are listed from the low E string to the high E string. x = don't play that string, 0 = open string.
G Chord Theory
| Interval | R | 3 | 5 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Note | G | B | D |
G is built from the G major scale.
G Chord FAQ
What notes are in the G chord?
G contains 3 notes: G (R), B (3), D (5). The interval formula for a major chord is R–3–5.
What is the easiest way to play G on guitar?
Use the open-position shape: 3 2 0 0 0 3 (frets listed from the low E string to the high E string, x = don't play that string). It uses open strings, so it needs the least finger strength.
What is the difference between G and Gm?
One note: the 3rd. G major uses the major 3rd (B) while G minor flattens it to Bb. That half-step is the entire difference between the bright major sound and the darker minor sound.
What keys use the G chord?
G appears diatonically in G major (as I), D major (as IV), and C major (as V) — plus E minor, its relative minor key.
Related Chords
Hear yourself play G
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