Also written Gm or Gmin
G minor contains the notes G, B♭, and D. This open-position shape is a beginner-friendly four-string voicing with all strings sounding.
The same three notes, with a different one in the bass.
G minor is built from the formula 1, ♭3, 5, with the ♭3 (B♭) giving it its minor quality. The interval from G to B♭ is a minor 3rd, and from G to D is a perfect 5th. Compared to G major, the third is lowered by one semitone.
G minor is the vi chord in B♭ major, appearing in progressions like B♭–F–Gm–E♭ (I–V–vi–IV). It suits folk, rock, and pop lines where a darker color is needed without leaving the key.
The open position puts the root G in the bass, giving a solid, centered sound. For a lighter feel, use the Gmin/B♭ inversion, which places the third B♭ in the bass and softens the chord's attack.
G minor is played in open position as 3 1 0 0: middle finger on the E string at fret 3 and index finger on the A string at fret 1. The D and G strings ring open.
Tip — The two-fret stretch between the fretted notes and the open strings is minimal, making this a comfortable first chord.
| String | Fret | Finger | Note |
|---|---|---|---|
| 4 (E) | 3 | 2 | G (1) |
| 3 (A) | 1 | 1 | B♭ (♭3) |
| 2 (D) | open | — | D (5) |
| 1 (G) | open | — | G (1) |
G minor is played in open position as 3 1 0 3: middle finger on the E string at fret 3, index finger on the A string at fret 1 and ring finger on the G string at fret 3. The D string rings open.
| String | Fret | Finger | Note |
|---|---|---|---|
| 4 (E) | 3 | 2 | G (1) |
| 3 (A) | 1 | 1 | B♭ (♭3) |
| 2 (D) | open | — | D (5) |
| 1 (G) | 3 | 3 | B♭ (♭3) |
G minor is played at the 3rd fret as 3 5 5 3: 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 3.
| String | Fret | Finger | Note |
|---|---|---|---|
| 4 (E) | 3 | 1 | G (1) |
| 3 (A) | 5 | 3 | D (5) |
| 2 (D) | 5 | 4 | G (1) |
| 1 (G) | 3 | 2 | B♭ (♭3) |
G minor is played at the 5th fret as 6 5 5 7: ring finger on the E string at fret 6, 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.
| String | Fret | Finger | Note |
|---|---|---|---|
| 4 (E) | 6 | 3 | B♭ (♭3) |
| 3 (A) | 5 | 1 | D (5) |
| 2 (D) | 5 | 2 | G (1) |
| 1 (G) | 7 | 4 | D (5) |
G minor is played at the 3rd fret as × 5 5 3: 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 3. The E string stays muted.
| String | Fret | Finger | Note |
|---|---|---|---|
| 4 (E) | muted | — | — |
| 3 (A) | 5 | 2 | D (5) |
| 2 (D) | 5 | 3 | G (1) |
| 1 (G) | 3 | 1 | B♭ (♭3) |
G minor lowers the third from B to B♭, changing the chord's quality from bright to somber. The fifth and root remain the same.
G natural minor and G minor pentatonic are the most direct choices. The blues scale adds a ♭5 for a grittier sound.
The open-position shape uses individual fingers, not a barre. The Gmin/B♭ inversion at the 6th fret is also beginner-friendly.