G major chord (G)
G is G, B and D: 1–3–5 built on G. Here it is on guitar, piano and ukulele. Tap Play on any of them.
On guitar
3-2-0-0-0-3 · open · easy
- Notes
- G · B · D
- Formula
- 1 · 3 · 5
- First shape
- 3-2-0-0-0-3
G on guitar: every shape, finger by finger
On piano
root position · G–B–D · right hand 1-3-5
- Notes
- G · B · D
- Formula
- 1 · 3 · 5
G on piano: fingering and inversions
On ukulele
0-2-3-2 · open · easy
- Notes
- G · B · D
- Formula
- 1 · 3 · 5
- First shape
- 0-2-3-2
Where G usually goes next
Three changes cover most of what G does in songs.
- G → C (IV in G major)
Guitar: G (3-2-0-0-0-3) to C (x-3-2-0-1-0): your index finger lands on the B string, 1st fret, the middle finger goes to the D string, 2nd fret, move the ring finger to the A string, 3rd fret. No finger can stay, so practice lifting all of them together and landing the new shape as a unit. Shared note: G.
Piano: G to C: play C in 2nd inversion (G–C–E) and G stays under the same finger, while B moves up to C and D up to E. C - G → D (V in G major)
Guitar: G (3-2-0-0-0-3) to D (x-x-0-2-3-2): the index finger goes to the G string, 2nd fret, the middle finger goes to the high E string, 2nd fret, the ring finger slides across to the B string at the same fret. Nothing carries over, so drill it slowly, lifting and landing all fingers at once. D carries over from one chord to the other.
Piano: G to D: play D in 1st inversion (F♯–A–D) and D stays under the same finger, while G moves down to F♯ and B down to A. D - G → Em (vi in G major)
Guitar: G (3-2-0-0-0-3) to Em (0-2-2-0-0-0): your index finger stays put, the middle finger goes to the D string, 2nd fret. An easy one to get up to speed. The two chords share G and B, which is why the change sounds smooth.
Piano: G to Em: play Em in 1st inversion (G–B–E) and G and B stay under the same fingers, while D moves up to E. Em
Guitar with a capo: capo 3, E shape; capo 5, D shape; capo 7, C shape. Ukulele with a capo: capo 2, F shape; capo 3, E shape; capo 5, D shape; capo 7, C shape.
How G is built
G is a major triad: bright, settled and stable. In the key of G major it is the home chord, the one a song lands on at the end.
Start on G, count 4 half steps up to B then 3 half steps up to D.
| Note | Role | Half steps | Hear it |
|---|---|---|---|
| G | root | 0 | |
| B | major third | 4 | |
| D | perfect fifth | 7 |
Keys and progressions with G
You'll find G as I in G major, IV in D major and V in C major. On the minor side it's III in E minor, V in C minor (borrowing the raised 7th), VI in B minor and VII in A minor.
Play I–V–vi–IV in G major and you get G – D – Em – C. the pop progression
G – C – D – G: that's I–IV–V in the key of G major. the three-chord progression
In G major, I–vi–IV–V is G – Em – C – D. the 50s progression
vi–IV–I–V in G major runs Em – C – G – D. the minor-feel pop loop
Chords close to G
- G and Gm differ by one note: B in G, B♭ in Gm. They share G and D. Gm
- G and Em differ by one note: D in G, E in Em. They share G and B. Em
Chords that share most of their notes with G: Em7, G7, Gmaj7, Gadd9, G6, G9.
Every G chord
G major chord: questions
What notes are in the G major chord?
G, B and D. G is built 1–3–5 from G: B is the major third and D is the perfect fifth.
How do you play G on guitar?
The usual shape is 3-2-0-0-0-3 (open). All 4 guitar shapes.
How do you play G on piano?
Play G, B and D with right-hand fingers 1-3-5. G sits between the first two black keys of the three. Inversions and left hand.
How do you play G on ukulele?
0-2-3-2 in standard GCEA tuning. More ukulele shapes.
What key is G in?
You'll find G as I in G major, IV in D major and V in C major. On the minor side it's III in E minor, V in C minor (borrowing the raised 7th), VI in B minor and VII in A minor.
What's the difference between G and Gm?
G and Gm differ by one note: B in G, B♭ in Gm. They share G and D.
Every diagram on this page is generated from the notes G, B and D and checked automatically so the sound matches the drawing. Updated September 2026.