G major (G)

A full chord that rings out on all six strings. With C and D, it makes up the basic trio of folk and rock.

It’s played in open position, near the nut, and as a barre chord higher up the neck. It’s the home chord of the key of G major; you’ll also find it in D major and C major.

Notes:: G, B, D.
Formula:: 1, 3, 5.
Difficulty:: Beginner.
Strings played:: 6.

Chord diagram

e|--3--|
B|--0--|
G|--0--|
D|--0--|
A|--2--|
E|--3--|

Other positions

e|--3--|
B|--3--|
G|--4--|
D|--5--|
A|--5--|
E|--3--|

e|--10--|
B|--12--|
G|--12--|
D|--12--|
A|--10--|
E|--x---|

Common mistakes

A string not ringing? Your middle finger, on the low E, is touching it. Angle it more so it doesn’t brush the string.

Slow change to C? Try the alternate fingering: middle, index and ring become ring, middle and pinky. Your hand is then already in the C shape.

Variations

Four-finger G (320033): middle finger on the low E, index on the A string, ring finger at the 3rd fret on the B string and pinky at the 3rd fret on the high E. A fuller sound, very popular on acoustic, and the change to C is shorter.

Heard in

G, D, C is the backbone of hundreds of songs, like Sweet Home Alabama (Lynyrd Skynyrd), which cycles through D, C and G. Knockin’ on Heaven’s Door goes G, D, Am, then G, D, C.

Often played with

The chords in its key, the ones you hear most often around G major.

e|--0--|
B|--1--|
G|--0--|
D|--2--|
A|--3--|
E|--x--|

C majorIV

e|--2--|
B|--3--|
G|--2--|
D|--0--|
A|--x--|
E|--x--|

D majorV

e|--0--|
B|--0--|
G|--0--|
D|--2--|
A|--2--|
E|--0--|

E minorvi