Hey guys... We're gonna talk about the G chord now, but first, let's review some stuff.
We have learned that all chords have formulas. Basic chords, which are the simplest, have these formulas:
For a major chord -- Root + major 3rd + minor 3rd ( R + M3 + m3 )
For a minor chord -- Root + minor 3rd + major 3rd ( R + m3 + M3 )
A major 3rd is made up of 4 half-steps, and a minor 3rd is made up of 3 half-steps.
Remember -- basic chords are made from 3rds. They all have a root, a 3rd, and a 5th (R + 3rd + 5th ). Also remember that the 5th of the root is ALSO the 3rd of the 3rd. For example, the C chord is:
C E G (C D E F G A B C)
R 3 5 (1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8)
Not only is G the 5th of C, it is the 3rd of E.
It's important that you understand this.
We're gonna build the G chord the same way that we did the C chord.
First, we know that G is a major chord (It doesn't have an "m" or "minor" written after it.) That means that the formula to build this thing will be R + M3 + m3.
We already know what the root is gonna be -- G. Right?
Now look at the picture of the chromatic scale below. We know that the next step is to go up a major 3d to find that next note. A major 3rd IS 4 half-steps. So.... What's 4 half steps up from the root (G)?
Answer: B
Now for the next note. We need to find a minor 3rd up from the previous note. A minor 3rd is 3 half-steps. What's the answer?
Answer: D
So a G chord = G B D. This is the definition of a G chord. No other notes are allowed. Now let's look at the picture of the chord.
The first string has the 3rd finger on the 3rd fret. That note just so happens to be a G.
The 2nd string is an open string - B.
The 3rd string is an open string - G
The 4th string is also open - D
The 5th string has the 1st finger on the 2nd fret. That note is a B.
The 6th string has the 2nd finger on the 3rd string. That note is a G.
So the notes played for this chord are from high to low:
G B G D B G
Notice again that the only notes in this chord are a G, a B, and a D. That's it. Ain't no more. It doesn't matter if some of the notes repeat just as long as G B and D are the only notes.
There are other ways to play a G chord, but they will all have just G B and D in them.
Got it? Alright!
Professor Bruno Noteworthy
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Contributor's Note
Professor Bruno Noteworthy is a toon music professor who loves teaching the guitar to kids.
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![G Chord [ 3 2 0 0 0 3 ]](img/originals/files-4/18434.jpg)
