Ways to play Gm
Lowest on the neck first. Tap a shape to put it on the fretboard above and hear it. The numbers are fingers (1 is your index), × means leave that string out, and ○ means let it ring open.
What's in Gm
A minor chord lowers the 3rd by a half step: root, minor 3rd (three half steps) and perfect 5th. G minor is G, B♭ and D. Next to G major, the only note that moves is the 3rd, B down to B♭.
| Note | Formula | Interval from G |
|---|---|---|
| G | 1 | Root |
| B♭ | ♭3 | Minor 3rd |
| D | 5 | Perfect 5th |
Darker and more inward than major. In a major key the ii, iii and vi chords are minor; in a minor key the i and usually the iv are.
The key of G minor
Two flats, the relative minor of B♭. Gm is the E-shape minor barre at the 3rd fret.
The seven chords built from the G minor scale:
Keys that use Gm
Every major and minor key whose scale contains all of G, B♭ and D, and the chord's Roman numeral in each.
| Key | Gm is the |
|---|---|
| G minor | i |
| D minor | iv |
| C minor | v |
| F major | ii |
| B♭ major | vi |
| E♭ major | iii |
Progressions to try
i–iv–v in G minor
Minor-key blues and folk. Swap the v for a major V when you want a stronger pull home.
i–VI–III–VII in G minor
The minor-key cousin of I–V–vi–IV: the same four chords, started from the minor one.
Related chords
The relative major is B♭, which shares its key signature. The parallel major is G, same root with the 3rd raised.
Other chords on G: