Gm Guitar Chord
G Minor · G–Bb–D
Gm is the G minor chord: G–Bb–D. Its sound is dark and emotional — the melancholic counterpart to major, built on the flat 3rd.
Gm is the relative minor of Bb major, so the two share every note and swap constantly in songs. You'll also find it as the ii chord in F major and the vi chord in Bb major — the emotional pivot of countless pop progressions.
The easiest way to play Gm is the open-position shape (3 1 0 0 3 3, low E string to high E string), which uses open strings and stays in the first few frets. Below you'll find 8 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 Gm: 8 Voicings
Frets are listed from the low E string to the high E string. x = don't play that string, 0 = open string.
Gm Chord Theory
| Interval | R | ♭3 | 5 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Note | G | Bb | D |
Gm is built from the G minor scale.
Gm Chord FAQ
What notes are in the Gm chord?
Gm contains 3 notes: G (R), Bb (♭3), D (5). The interval formula for a minor chord is R–♭3–5.
What is the easiest way to play Gm on guitar?
Use the open-position shape: 3 1 0 0 3 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 Gm and G?
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 minor sound and the darker major sound.
What keys use the Gm chord?
Gm appears diatonically in Bb major (as vi), F major (as ii), and Eb major (as iii) — plus it's the home chord (i) of G minor.
Related Chords
Hear yourself play Gm
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