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 10 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: 10 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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