Also written Gm or Gmin
G minor is built from G, B♭, and D. The open G string rings against the fretted notes, giving this beginner shape a warm, resonant tone.
The same three notes, with a different one in the bass.
G minor uses the formula 1, ♭3, 5, so the minor 3rd between G and B♭ gives the chord its dark quality. The perfect 5th from G to D keeps it stable. Compare it with G major, where the 3rd is raised to B.
G minor is the vi chord in B♭ major, as in the progression B♭–F–G minor–E♭ (I–V–vi–IV). G minor also fits G minor pentatonic lines over a G 5th chord. Use G minor for blues, rock, and folk.
The default Gmin/D inversion puts D in the bass, which gives a slightly unstable feel. For a root position, use the 5th fret voicing with G as the lowest note.
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.
Tip — The fingers must fret three separate strings while the open G string rings through, requiring clean finger placement.
| 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) |
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.
| 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) |
G minor is played at the 2nd fret as 3 2 3 5: middle finger on the G string at fret 3, index finger on the C string at fret 2, ring finger on the E string at fret 3 and pinky finger on the A string at fret 5.
| String | Fret | Finger | Note |
|---|---|---|---|
| 4 (G) | 3 | 2 | B♭ (♭3) |
| 3 (C) | 2 | 1 | D (5) |
| 2 (E) | 3 | 3 | G (1) |
| 1 (A) | 5 | 4 | D (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.
| 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) |
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.
| 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) |
G minor is written as Gm, Gmin, G−, or Gmi.
G minor has a B♭, while G major has a B natural. That one semitone changes the chord from minor to major.
Yes, the Gmin/B♭ inversion at 12-10-10-10 uses a barre on the tenth fret for a different voicing.