G minor chord (Gm)
The G minor chord (Gm) is a minor triad made of G, B♭ and D: root, minor third and perfect fifth.
It is the i in G minor and the vi in B♭ major; its relative major is B♭ major, 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 minor on guitar
There are 2 guitar voicings.
Frets from the 6th string to the 1st: x = not played, 0 = open string.
- Voicing 1: 3-5-5-3-3-3, barre at fret 3, with G in the bass (fingers 1-3-4-1-1-1).
- Voicing 2: x-10-12-12-11-10, movable A-shape barre chord at fret 10, with G in the bass.
Notes of the G minor chord on the fretboard
G minor 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♭ (6) · D (10)
- String 5 (A): B♭ (1) · D (5) · G (10)
- String 4 (D): D (0) · G (5) · B♭ (8) · D (12)
- String 3 (G): G (0) · B♭ (3) · D (7) · G (12)
- String 2 (B): D (3) · G (8) · B♭ (11)
- String 1 (E): G (3) · B♭ (6) · D (10)
Formula and intervals of G minor
Its formula is 1-♭3-5; in semitones from the root, 0-3-7.
- G: Root, the note that gives the chord its name
- B♭: Minor third (m3), 3 semitones above G
- D: Perfect fifth (P5), 7 semitones above G
G minor on ukulele
- Ukulele (G C E A): 0-2-3-1; it sounds G, D, G and B♭.
G minor on piano
- Keys: G4, B♭4 and D5.
Inversions of G minor
Each inversion puts a different note in the bass.
- Root position: G, B♭ and D, with G in the bass.
- First inversion (Gm/B♭): B♭, D and G, with B♭ in the bass.
- Second inversion (Gm/D): D, G and B♭, with D in the bass.
Keys that use G minor
G minor appears in 6 major and minor keys.
| Key | Degree | Function |
|---|---|---|
| F major (1 flat) | ii | Supertonic |
| E♭ major (3 flats) | iii | Mediant |
| B♭ major (2 flats) | vi | Submediant |
| G minor (2 flats) | i | Tonic |
| D minor (1 flat) | iv | Subdominant |
| C minor (3 flats) | v | Dominant |
Progressions with G minor
- Pop progression in B♭ major (I–V–vi–IV): B♭ – F – Gm – E♭
- Pop progression starting on vi in B♭ major (vi–IV–I–V): Gm – E♭ – B♭ – F
- Turnaround in B♭ major (I–vi–ii–V): B♭ – Gm – Cm – F
- Minor cadence in G minor (i–iv–V7): Gm – Cm – D7
- Minor pop progression in G minor (i–VI–III–VII): Gm – E♭ – B♭ – F
Frequently asked questions
What notes are in the G minor chord?
G, B♭ and D: root, minor third and perfect fifth. Its formula is 1-♭3-5.
Which keys use G minor?
Mainly as the i in G minor and the vi in B♭ major. In total it appears in 6 major and minor keys.
What is the relative major of G minor?
B♭ major. G minor and B♭ major are the tonic chords of two relative keys, which share the same key signature and the same scale notes.