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G chord on bass (G major)
Also called or written G, Gmaj, GM or G chord
G major contains the notes G, B, and D. This beginner shape uses open strings and only two fretted notes, making it one of the easiest bass chords to play.
How it is built
Formula 1, 3, 5
How do you play a G major chord on bass?
G major is played in open position as 3 2 0 0: middle finger on the E string at fret 3 and index finger on the A string at fret 2. The D and G strings ring open.
Full note and interval breakdown
| String | Fret | Finger | Note |
|---|---|---|---|
| 4 (E) | 3 | 2 | G (1) |
| 3 (A) | 2 | 1 | B (3) |
| 2 (D) | open | — | D (5) |
| 1 (G) | open | — | G (1) |
BeginnerFretting two adjacent strings with different fingers while keeping the open strings clean requires careful hand positioning.
3rd fret
G major is played at the 3rd fret as 3 5 5 4: index finger on the E string at fret 3, ring finger on the A string at fret 5, pinky finger on the D string at fret 5 and middle finger on the G string at fret 4.
Full note and interval breakdown
| String | Fret | Finger | Note |
|---|---|---|---|
| 4 (E) | 3 | 1 | G (1) |
| 3 (A) | 5 | 3 | D (5) |
| 2 (D) | 5 | 4 | G (1) |
| 1 (G) | 4 | 2 | B (3) |
G/B inversion
G major is played at the 5th fret as 7 5 5 7: ring finger on the E string at fret 7, index finger on the A string at fret 5, middle finger on the D string at fret 5 and pinky finger on the G string at fret 7.
Full note and interval breakdown
| String | Fret | Finger | Note |
|---|---|---|---|
| 4 (E) | 7 | 3 | B (3) |
| 3 (A) | 5 | 1 | D (5) |
| 2 (D) | 5 | 2 | G (1) |
| 1 (G) | 7 | 4 | D (5) |
G/D inversion · fret 4
G major is played at the 4th fret as × 5 5 4: middle finger on the A string at fret 5, ring finger on the D string at fret 5 and index finger on the G string at fret 4. The E string stays muted.
Full note and interval breakdown
| String | Fret | Finger | Note |
|---|---|---|---|
| 4 (E) | muted | — | — |
| 3 (A) | 5 | 2 | D (5) |
| 2 (D) | 5 | 3 | G (1) |
| 1 (G) | 4 | 1 | B (3) |
G/D inversion · fret 9
G major is played at the 9th fret as 10 10 9 ×: middle finger on the E string at fret 10, ring finger on the A string at fret 10 and index finger on the D string at fret 9. The G string stays muted.
Full note and interval breakdown
| String | Fret | Finger | Note |
|---|---|---|---|
| 4 (E) | 10 | 2 | D (5) |
| 3 (A) | 10 | 3 | G (1) |
| 2 (D) | 9 | 1 | B (3) |
| 1 (G) | muted | — | — |
Why it sounds like that
G major is built from the formula 1, 3, 5: root G, major third B, and perfect fifth D. The major third, four semitones above the root, gives the chord its bright, stable quality. Lower that third by one semitone to B♭ and you get G minor, the parallel minor with a darker sound.
What goes wrong with G major?
- Letting the index finger mute the 2nd string.
- Not pressing the 3rd string firmly enough, causing a buzz.
When to use it
G major appears as the I chord in the I–IV–V–I progression G–C–D–G in G major. It also works as the IV chord in D major and the V chord in C major. Use G major for bright rock, country, and pop bass lines that need a strong root.
Changing to and from G major
- From G major to C major, keep your index finger on the 3rd string and move your middle finger from the 4th string 3rd fret to the 3rd string 3rd fret.
Which voicing to use
The open voicing puts the root G in the bass, giving a solid, grounded sound. For a lighter feel, use the G/B inversion, which places the third in the bass and adds forward motion. The G/D inversion with the fifth in the bass works well when you want a less assertive low end.
Other G chords
Common questions
How is G major written in chord charts?
G major is written as G, Gmaj, or GM. There is no enharmonic spelling for G major.
What is the difference between G major and G minor?
G major has a major third (B), while G minor has a minor third (B♭). This single note changes the chord from bright to dark. The fifth, D, is the same in both chords.
Can I play G major in a higher register?
Yes, the 3rd fret voicing puts the root G on the 4th string and uses the same shape as the open position but higher. This voicing sits well when the bass needs to cut through a dense mix.