Gm Chord on the Guitar (G Minor) - Diagrams, Finger Positions, Theory (2024)

The G minor chord is a very popular chord on the guitar. The chord actually contains two notes that can be played on open strings (G and D), which means that you can technically play the Gm chord as an open chord (see the first shape in the image below). However, the open version of Gm is somewhat awkward, and almost never used. Instead, Playing Gm as a bar chord on the 3rdfret, is a much more common way of playing the chord.

Gm is the relative minor of B flat Major, which is a common key, especially in certain styles, such as Jazz.

Some Quick Gm Chord Theory

  • The G minor chord contains the notes G, Bb and D.
  • The G minor chord is produced by playing the 1st (root), flat 3rd and 5th notes of the G Major scale.
  • The G minor chord (just like all minor chords) contains the following intervals (from the root note): minor 3rd, Major 3rd, Perfect 4th (back to the root note).
  • G minor is the relative minor of Bb Major.
  • G minor is the first chord in the key of G minor. The seven chords in the key of G minor are: Gm, A diminished, Bb+, Cm, D, Eb, F# diminished

10 Ways To Play The G Minor Chord

If you’ve come to this page just to view some chord diagrams for Gm, here they are.

Gm Chord on the Guitar (G Minor) - Diagrams, Finger Positions, Theory (1)

Standard Gm Chord Shape

The most common way to play the G minor chord is as a root-6 minor barre chord, starting in the third fret.

Easy Gm Chord Shape

The ‘easy’ or ‘mini’ version of the G minor chord is achieved by playing the first three strings of the guitar, all in the third fret. This can be used as an easy alternative to the more difficult barre chord shape (pictured above).

Gm Chord on the Guitar (G Minor) - Diagrams, Finger Positions, Theory (3)

How to Play the Gm Chord (Step by Step)

  • Place your first finger on the third fret of the sixth string and barre all six strings.
  • Place your third finger on the fifth fret of the fifth string.
  • Place your fourth finger on the fifth fret of the fourth string.
  • Strum all six strings.

The instructions above are step by step instructions for playing the common G minor chord shape. Forming the chord through step by step instructions is a great way of ensuring that you are interpreting the chord diagram correctly.

G Minor Barre Chord Shapes

The Gm chord can be played as a barre chord by playing a root 6 barre chord shape and starting on the 3rd fret or by playing a root 5 barre chord Major shape and starting on the 10th fret:

Gm Chord on the Guitar (G Minor) - Diagrams, Finger Positions, Theory (4)

G Minor Triads

Playing triads is a great way of exploring the minor chord and the guitar fretboard more generally. By arranging the notes of the chord systematically using permutations (root position, first inversion, second inversion), interesting and unique shapes and voicings are created. The three different voicings for the G minor triad are:

  • G minor Triad (Root Position) – G, Bb, D
  • G minor Triad (1st Inversion) – Bb, D, G
  • G minor Triad (2nd Inversion) – D, G, Bb

By playing these triads on two different groups of three strings, we can produce six different shapes.

Gm Chord on the Guitar (G Minor) - Diagrams, Finger Positions, Theory (5)

Which Keys Have The Gm chord in Them?

The Gm chord can be found in the following keys:

  • The key of G minor (Gm, Adim, Bb, Cm, Dm, Eb, F)
  • The key of C minor (Cm, Ddim, Eb, Fm, Gm, Ab, Bb)
  • The key of D minor (Dm, Edim, F, Gm, Am, Bb, C)
  • The key of Bb Major (Bb, Cm, Dm, Eb, F, Gm, Adim)
  • The key of Eb Major (Eb, Fm, Gm, Ab, Bb, Cm, Ddim)
  • The key of F Major (F, Gm, Am, Bb, C, Dm, Edim)

Alternative But Useful Gm Chord Shapes

The following shapes are alternative ways of playing the G minor chord shape. They’re not the most common Gm shapes, but used enough to include here as interesting alternatives.

Gm Chord on the Guitar (G Minor) - Diagrams, Finger Positions, Theory (6)

Gm Chord Substitutions

Most G minor chords with extensions can be used as a substitute for the G minor chord. For example, Gm9, Gm11 and Gm6 can often be used to add colour and emotion to the G minor chord.

The Gm7 chord is quite often used interchangeably with the Gm chord.

For more interesting substitutions, playing variations of the Bb chord (which is the relative Major of G minor), such as Bb6, Bb69, Bbmaj9 etc. can be used effectively as a substitute for the G minor chord.

Which Scales Can Be Played Over the G Minor Chord?

The most common and effective scales that can be used to solo/improvise over the G minor chord, or to create melodies for the purposes of song writing are:

  • G natural minor scale – This scale (also called G aeolian) is the most commonly used scale for this chord.
  • G minor pentatonic scale – This is probably the easiest scale to learn and get started on when improvising over the G minor chord..
  • G minor blues scale – This scale can be used over the Gm chord to add a Blues flavour.
  • G dorian mode – This scale can be used to add a slightly brighter sound to the G minor chord.
  • G phrygian mode – This scale can be used to add a darker sound to the G minor chord.

Further Reading

  • G natural minor scale
  • G harmonic minor scale
  • How minor chords work
  • Chords page
  • G minor arpeggio
  • Gm/Bb chord
  • Gm/D chord

Gm Chord on the Guitar (G Minor) - Diagrams, Finger Positions, Theory (2024)

FAQs

Gm Chord on the Guitar (G Minor) - Diagrams, Finger Positions, Theory? ›

Finger placement for Gm chord

What is the finger position for G minor? ›

To play this E minor scale, position your hand up one fret on the guitar. Now your index finger will play notes on the second fret, your middle finger will play notes on the third fret, your ring finger will play notes on the fourth fret, and you will use your pinkie to play notes on the fifth fret.

What is the G to GM chord? ›

The G chord is made up of the notes G, B, and D. The Gm chord is comprised of G, Bb, and D. That one, half-tone flat makes a “major” difference for this minor chord, giving it a richer, darker sound.

What is the finger position for G on A guitar? ›

The most common way to play the G Major Chord is in the open position, like this: Index finger on the 2nd fret of the A (5th) string. Middle finger on the 3rd fret of the low E (6th) string. Ring finger on the 3rd fret of the E (1st) string.

What is the chord progression for GM? ›

G Minor Chord Progressions
  • i-III-VII (g minor, Bb Major, F Major)
  • i-VII-VI-III (g minor, F Major, Eb Major)
  • i-VI-III-VII (g minor, Eb Major, F Major)
  • i-V7-III-VII (g minor, d minor 7, F Major)
  • iV-VI-i-VII (c minor, Eb Major, g minor, F Major)
Mar 29, 2024

What is the chord sequence for GM? ›

Piano Chords In The Key Of G Minor

i – VI – VII (Gm – Eb – F) i – iv – VII (Gm – Cm – F) i – iv – v (Gm – Cm – Dm) i – VI – III – VII (Gm – Eb – Bb – F)

What are the 7 chords in G minor? ›

For example in G minor the chords would be Gm, Adim, Bb, Cm, Dm, Eb and F.

What fret is G minor on guitar? ›

G Minor Scale - 3rd Position

To play the G minor scale in the natural 3rd position, you'll start with your index finger on the 3rd fret of the low E string. You'll use your middle finger to play notes on the 4th fret, your ring finger for notes on the 5th, and your pinky for notes on the 6th fret.

What is the finger position for a minor chord on a guitar? ›

Playing the A Minor Chord
  1. Index finger: 1st fret of the B (2nd) string.
  2. Middle finger: 2nd fret of the D (4th) string.
  3. Ring finger: 2nd fret of the G (3rd) string.

Where to put capo for G minor? ›

You can use a capo to make a difficult piece of music easy. For example, if you put a capo on the 3rd fret and play an Em chord, the sound that comes out of the guitar will be Gm. Give it a try!

What is the best finger position for guitar? ›

When you fret a note, keep your finger as close to the fretwire as you can. This ensures that there is a good break angle against the fret, which results in a note that rings out cleanly. Placing your finger too far away from the fret will result in buzzing or muted notes.

What finger should be on the G key? ›

3. Play notes C, D, E, F#, and G. Use your index finger for the note D, your middle finger for the note E, your ring finger for the note F#, and finally your pinky for the note G.

What finger do you press G with? ›

Each index or pointer finger is responsible for two rows of keys. The right hand pointer takes the “U” and “M” column, as well as the “Y,” “H” and “N” keys. The left hand index finger is at rest on “F” and moves up for “R,” down for “V” and over for “T,” “G” and “B”.

Which finger strikes the G key? ›

To type the G letter use your index finger (left hand, F finger). Right hand, use your index finger (J) to reach the letter H.

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