Notes and intervals of G minor
- G1 · root
- B♭♭3 · minor third
- D5 · perfect fifth
It shows up in ballads, boleros, pasillos and almost all popular music; in a major key it's usually the relative chord or the second degree.
Progressions with Gm
Minor with a dominant: i – iv – V7 – i
The V7 comes from the harmonic minor scale and is typical of boleros, pasillos and ballads.
Modern minor: i – VI – III – VII
A very common progression in pop and rock, in G natural minor.
Which keys contain G minor?
Gm belongs to 6 keys: in each one it plays a different role depending on the degree (the Roman numeral).
| Key | Degree |
|---|---|
| E♭ major | iii |
| F major | ii |
| B♭ major | vi |
| C natural minor | v |
| D natural minor | iv |
| G natural minor | i |
Frequently asked questions
What notes are in the G minor chord?
G minor (Gm) has 3 notes: G (root), B♭ (minor third), D (perfect fifth).
How do you play G minor on guitar?
The most common shape uses a barre at fret 3: 3 5 5 3 3 3 (from the 6th to the 1st string). Barre fret 3 with your index finger, from the 6th to the 1st string. Place finger 3 (ring) on fret 5 of the 5th string (A). Place finger 4 (pinky) on fret 5 of the 4th string (D).
What is the difference between G minor and G major?
Only the third changes: G minor uses B♭ and G major uses B. That note is what makes the chord sound darker (minor) or bright (major).
What is the chord symbol for G minor?
It's written Gm; you'll also see Gmin or G-. Chord notation uses letter names for notes: C, D, E, F, G, A, and B.