Explore chords · Ukulele
G minor chord on ukulele (Gm)
Also called or written Gm or Gmin
G minor is built from G, B♭, and D. The open shape uses all four strings, so it is a quick first minor chord.
How it is built
Formula 1, ♭3, 5
- Root positionG–B♭–DGm×-7-6-5
- First inversionB♭–D–GGm/B♭12-10-10-10
- Second inversionD–G–B♭Gm/D0-2-3-1
How do you play a G minor chord on ukulele?
G minor is played in open position as 0 2 3 1: middle finger on the C string at fret 2, ring finger on the E string at fret 3 and index finger on the A string at fret 1. The G string rings open.
Full note and interval breakdown
| String | Fret | Finger | Note |
|---|---|---|---|
| 4 (G) | open | — | G (1) |
| 3 (C) | 2 | 2 | D (5) |
| 2 (E) | 3 | 3 | G (1) |
| 1 (A) | 1 | 1 | B♭ (♭3) |
BeginnerThe hardest part is fretting three notes while letting the open G string ring cleanly.
5th fret · ×-7-6-5
G minor is played at the 5th fret as × 7 6 5: ring finger on the C string at fret 7, middle finger on the E string at fret 6 and index finger on the A string at fret 5. The G string stays muted.
Full note and interval breakdown
| String | Fret | Finger | Note |
|---|---|---|---|
| 4 (G) | muted | — | — |
| 3 (C) | 7 | 3 | G (1) |
| 2 (E) | 6 | 2 | B♭ (♭3) |
| 1 (A) | 5 | 1 | D (5) |
Gmin/B♭ inversion
G minor is played at the 10th fret as 12 10 10 10: barre your index finger across fret 10 and pinky finger on the G string at fret 12.
Full note and interval breakdown
| String | Fret | Finger | Note |
|---|---|---|---|
| 4 (G) | 12 | 4 | G (1) |
| 3 (C) | 10 | 1 (barre) | B♭ (♭3) |
| 2 (E) | 10 | 1 (barre) | D (5) |
| 1 (A) | 10 | 1 (barre) | G (1) |
Gmin/D inversion · 3-2-3-1
G minor is played at the 1st fret as 3 2 3 1: ring finger on the G string at fret 3, middle finger on the C string at fret 2, pinky finger on the E string at fret 3 and index finger on the A string at fret 1.
Full note and interval breakdown
| String | Fret | Finger | Note |
|---|---|---|---|
| 4 (G) | 3 | 3 | B♭ (♭3) |
| 3 (C) | 2 | 2 | D (5) |
| 2 (E) | 3 | 4 | G (1) |
| 1 (A) | 1 | 1 | B♭ (♭3) |
5th fret · 7-7-6-5
G minor is played at the 5th fret as 7 7 6 5: ring finger on the G string at fret 7, pinky finger on the C string at fret 7, middle finger on the E string at fret 6 and index finger on the A string at fret 5.
Full note and interval breakdown
| String | Fret | Finger | Note |
|---|---|---|---|
| 4 (G) | 7 | 3 | D (5) |
| 3 (C) | 7 | 4 | G (1) |
| 2 (E) | 6 | 2 | B♭ (♭3) |
| 1 (A) | 5 | 1 | D (5) |
Why it sounds like that
G minor uses the formula 1, ♭3, 5. The ♭3, B♭, gives the chord its minor quality. Raise that note a semitone to B and you get G major.
What goes wrong with G minor?
- Letting the index finger flatten onto the E string, which deadens the fretted note.
- Strumming before the fretted notes are secure, causing a buzz.
When to use it
G minor is the vi chord in B♭ major, so it anchors the I–V–vi–IV progression: B♭ major–F major–G minor–E♭ major. Use it for folk, pop, and minor-key ballads.
Changing to and from G minor
- Move to C minor by shifting the middle finger to the 3rd fret, ring to the 5th, and index to the 3rd, while the G string stays open.
Which voicing to use
The open shape keeps G in the bass and suits strummed songs. The 5th fret voicing moves the same notes up the neck for a brighter cut, while the G minor/B♭ inversion puts B♭ in the bass for a darker feel.
Other G chords
Common questions
How is G minor written?
G minor appears as Gm, Gmin, G−, or Gmi. The root is G, and no enharmonic spelling is used.
Why does G minor sound darker than G major?
G minor lowers the third from B to B♭. That ♭3 interval creates the minor quality, while G major uses a major third.
Can I play G minor with a barre?
The 10th fret voicing uses a full barre at the 10th fret, but the open shape avoids a barre entirely.