G major chord (G)
The G major chord (G) is a major triad made of G, B and D: root, major third and perfect fifth.
It is the I in G major and the IV in D major; its relative minor is E minor, and D dominant seventh leads into it as its V7.
Below: voicings, notes on the fretboard, ukulele, piano, inversions and progressions.
How to play G major on guitar
There are 3 guitar voicings.
Frets from the 6th string to the 1st: x = not played, 0 = open string.
- Voicing 1: 3-2-0-0-0-3, open position, with G in the bass (fingers 3-2-0-0-0-4).
- Voicing 2: 3-5-5-4-3-3, barre at fret 3, with G in the bass (fingers 1-3-4-2-1-1).
- Voicing 3: x-10-12-12-12-10, movable A-shape barre chord at fret 10, with G in the bass.
Notes of the G major chord on the fretboard
G major has 3 notes: G, B and D. This is where they fall on each string, from the nut to the 12th fret (fret number in parentheses):
- String 6 (E): G (3) · B (7) · D (10)
- String 5 (A): B (2) · D (5) · G (10)
- String 4 (D): D (0) · G (5) · B (9) · D (12)
- String 3 (G): G (0) · B (4) · D (7) · G (12)
- String 2 (B): B (0) · D (3) · G (8) · B (12)
- String 1 (E): G (3) · B (7) · D (10)
Formula and intervals of G major
Its formula is 1-3-5; in semitones from the root, 0-4-7.
- G: Root, the note that gives the chord its name
- B: Major third (M3), 4 semitones above G
- D: Perfect fifth (P5), 7 semitones above G
G major on ukulele
- Ukulele (G C E A): 0-2-3-2; it sounds G, D, G and B.
G major on piano
- Keys: G4, B4 and D5.
Inversions of G major
Each inversion puts a different note in the bass.
- Root position: G, B and D, with G in the bass.
- First inversion (G/B): B, D and G, with B in the bass.
- Second inversion (G/D): D, G and B, with D in the bass.
Keys that use G major
G major appears in 7 major and minor keys.
| Key | Degree | Function |
|---|---|---|
| G major (1 sharp) | I | Tonic |
| D major (2 sharps) | IV | Subdominant |
| C major (no sharps or flats) | V | Dominant |
| E minor (1 sharp) | III | Mediant |
| B minor (2 sharps) | VI | Submediant |
| A minor (no sharps or flats) | VII | Subtonic |
| C minor (harmonic minor, 3 flats) | V | Dominant |
Progressions with G major
- Pop progression in G major (I–V–vi–IV): G – D – Em – C
- Pop progression starting on vi in G major (vi–IV–I–V): Em – C – G – D
- Three-chord progression in G major (I–IV–V): G – C – D
- Turnaround in G major (I–vi–ii–V): G – Em – Am – D
- Minor pop progression in B minor (i–VI–III–VII): Bm – G – D – A
Frequently asked questions
What notes are in the G major chord?
G, B and D: root, major third and perfect fifth. Its formula is 1-3-5.
Which keys use G major?
Mainly as the I in G major and the IV in D major. In total it appears in 7 major and minor keys.
What is the relative minor of G major?
E minor. G major and E minor are the tonic chords of two relative keys, which share the same key signature and the same scale notes.