How To Play G On Acoustic Guitar

There are many chords to learn as a beginner guitar player. And one of them is the G Major Chord. So Today I want to teach you how to play the G chord on guitar.

In this guitar lesson how to play the G chord on guitar. I will show you:

4 ways to play the G chord
What notes make up a G chord
Bonus Video with Tips to make a G Major Chord.

If your ready to learn how to play the G Major chord grab your guitar and let me show you how.

What is the G Major Chord on Guitar

One of the most popular chords is the G chord It sounds Big and is fairly easy to make on guitar. There are several versions of open G chords. And I want to cover them all.

The fist one is in the chord diagram below. Check it out.

As you can see by the diagram there are three fingers being used. But you can play this two different ways. The first way is how I position my fingers…

Place your second finger on the 5th string, at the second fret.
Third finger on the 6th string, at the third fret.
Pinkie on the high E string, the 1st string, at the third fret.
Strum all the strings.

I find it easy to play the G like that and when transitioning to say the C chord it becomes so much easier.

I would recommend trying the different ways to play the G chord. And what ever is easier for you and feels good. Then go with it.

Lets take a look at another way to place your fingers for the G Major chord.

First finger on the 5th string, at the second fret.
Second finger on the 6th string, at the third fret.
Third finger on the 1st string at the 3rd fret.
Strum all the strings.

What Notes are in the G Chord

To Make a Major Chord you need 3 notes. The 1 3 and 5. So if you were looking at the G Major scale. Which consists of 8 notes. You would pick the 1 3 5 notes and that gives you the G Major.

This works in any Key of course the notes will be different. Because you are in a different scale. Check out Guitar Bootcamp for more about chords.

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What Notes Make up the G Major Chord

We said the G chord is made up of the 1 note. Which is the root note. The one is the G note. Then we have the 3rd of the scale which is the B note. And we need the 5, which is the D.

The three notes to make up the G chord are; G B D.

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Picking Out the Notes Played in the G Chord

Using the chord diagram above let's pick out the notes in the G chord. Even though we said there are 3 notes. There may be duplicate of the notes.

This will make for a more robust sounding chord.

First We are covering the third fret of the E string. Which makes this a G note. And also the Root of the chord the 1. Next we have fretted the A string, 5th string at the second fret.

This is the B note, which is the 3. After that the D string is played open. The fourth string when in tune and played open. Meaning not fretting it. The sound when picked is D.

This makes the first D in the chord, and is the 5. So far we have a 1 3 5. Lets keep going to the G string. The 3rd string if you look, is not fretted. So when it is played it plays a G note.

Next is the B string, second string. It is also not fretted. And is a B note when picked. Then the high E string is fretted at the 3rd fret.

The same as the low E string or 6th string. And this makes it another G note.

This is what is great about playing open chords. Your covering 3 strings, but look how many notes are being played when you strum the G chord.

To recap there are three G notes 2 B notes and 1 D note. When playing this easy G chord.

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How Do You Play the G Chord on Guitar

Now let me show you another way to play the G chord. This time using 4 fingers. First look at the chord diagram.

Related Article: 10 Tips for Learning Guitar Chords.

How to Play a 4 Finger G Major Chord

Place Your first finger at the second fret of the A string. Which is the 5th string.
Put your second finger at the third fret on the E string. The 6th string.
Your third finger is at the third fret. On the B string. (2nd string)
Then place your pinkie on the third fret of the high E string. The 1st string.
When strumming the G chord you can play all the strings.

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What Notes Are In the G Major Chord Using 4 Fingers

Okay we know we need to find the 1 3 5 in the chord. And they are the 1 or root of the chord is the G note. The 3 is the B and the 5 is the D note.

Looking at the diagram you have fretted at the third fret. This is the G note also the 1. Then the A string is fretted at the second fret. Making the B note or the 3.

Next is the D string played open. This is the 5 of the chord. The G string is also played open. Another root note or 1.

And on this finger placement you are fretting the B string with your third finger. This makes a D note.

Your Pinkie is going to be used to fret the high E string at the 3rd fret. Making that another G note.

As you can tell when you strum this G chord it is a much bigger sounding. More full chord.

Like I said before all three chords are G chords. Try them all and what ever is most comfortable for you. Then that would be the one to use.

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How to Play a G Barre Chord

If your ready for a more advanced chord here it is. Take a look at the chord Diagram.

Place Your First finger across all the strings at the 3^rd fret
Then your second finger is on the 3^rd string, at the 4^th fret. (G String)
Your third finger is on the 5^th string, at the 5^th fret.
And Put your pinkie under your third finger. On the 4^th string at the 5^th fret.
You can strum all the strings.

Related Article: How to Change from Open Chords to Barre Chor ds.

What Guitar Chords Are in G Major?

G A B C D E F#

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How Do You Finger G Chord?

Cover the A string at the second fret with your 2nd finger.
Use your 3rd finger to fret the Low E string at the 3rd Fret.
Place your Pinkie on the first string at the 3rd fret.
Strum All strings.

Thanks for Checking this lesson out. You may be interested in this Lesson Easy Guitar Riffs for Guitar.