G major chord guitar

Diagram, notes and theoretical summary concerning G Major triad plus related chords. There are three common variations in open positions, all are presented here. The first diagram show what might be regarded as the main version among the G Major open chord shapes.

G

1/4 >

Full name: G Major
Alternative name/abbreviation: GM
Type: Open chord
Notes in the chord: G, B, D
Importance: 10/10
Difficulty: 4/10

Relevant chords: G/B G/D G/E G/F^#

Alternative chord shapes: Scroll to right

G (1st alternative chord shape)

< 2/4 >

Full name: G Major
Alternative name/abbreviation: GM
Type: Open chord
Notes in the chord: G, B, D
Importance: 8/10
Difficulty: 5/10

G (2nd alternative chord shape)

< 3/4 >

Full name: G Major
Alternative name/abbreviation: GM
Type: Open chord
Notes in the chord: G, B, D
Importance: 6/10
Difficulty: 4/10

G (3rd alternative chord shape)

< 4/4

Full name: G Major
Alternative name/abbreviation: GM
Type: Closed chord
Notes in the chord: G, B, D
Importance: 10/10
Difficulty: 5/10

Description & instructions

G (open chord - diagram 1/4) The primarily difficulties with this chord is to reach both the highest and lowest string and on the same time avoid muting the 5th string by touching it with the finger on the neareest string. By using the finger position given (see below) your fingers will form a curve over the strings and therefore you will be able to not muting any string by misstake.

Finger positions

This is how you place your fingers when playing this chord:

Index finger on 5th string, 2nd fret
Middle finger on 6th string, 3rd fret
Little finger on 1st string, 3rd fret.

This is one recommended fingering, although alternatives can be possible.

Chord variations

G Major triad bar chord with the root on 6th string: 3 5 5 4 1 1
G Major triad with the root on 6th string: 3 5 5 4 X X
G Major triad bar chord with the root on 5th string: X 10 12 12 12 10
G Major triad with the root on 4th string: X X 5 4 3 3 (see diagram below)
G Major triad with the root on 4th string, second alternative: X X 5 4 3 X
G Major triad with the root on 3rd string: X X X 7 8 7

Related chords

G/A chord: X 0 5 4 3 X
G/C chord: X 3 0 0 0 3

Chord progressions

G > B > C > D

G > D > Am

G > B7 > C > A7 ("Sittin' on the Dock of the Bay" - Otis Redding)

G > C > G > G | D > F > C > G | C > D > G > D ("Brown Eyed Girl" - Van Morrison)

G > Cadd9 > D (x2) | Em > D > Cadd9 > G (x2) | Em > G (x2) ("Good Riddance" - Green Day)

G > G7 > C > Cm > G > Em7 > A7 > D7 ("Desperado" - Eagles)

G/B

Full name: G Major slash B
Alternative name/abbreviation: G 1st inversion
Type: Open chord
Notes in the chord: B, D, G

G/D

Full name: G Major slash D
Alternative name/abbreviation: G 2nd inversion
Type: Open chord
Notes in the chord: D, G, B

G/E

Full name: G Major slash E
Alternative name/abbreviation: G/e
Type: Open chord
Notes in the chord: E, G, B, D

G/F^#

Full name: G Major slash F sharp
Alternative name/abbreviation: G/f^#
Type: Open chord
Notes in the chord: F^#, G, B, D