Piano chords · Major chord
G piano chord (G major)
G is a major chord with 3 notes. It sounds bright and settled. Here's how to find it, play it and hear it.
G – B – D · tap any key to hear it
The notes of G
G is built from 3 notes (1 – 3 – 5):
- G, the root
- B, the major third
- D, the fifth
Every note is a white key, which makes G an easy chord to find and play.
Fingering
- Right hand: 1 on G, 3 on B, 5 on D.
- Left hand: 5 on G, 3 on B, 1 on D.
Press every key at exactly the same moment, with the same weight. If one note sounds louder or a fraction late, the chord sounds uneven: play it slowly and listen for one sound.
Inversions
An inversion is the same notes in a different order, with a different note at the bottom. Inversions let you move between chords without jumping around the keyboard.
| Position | Notes, bottom to top |
|---|---|
| Root position | G – B – D |
| 1st inversion | B – D – G |
| 2nd inversion | D – G – B |
Where G belongs
G is the I chord in G major, the IV chord in D major and the V chord in C major. Its relative minor is Em, which shares two of its notes.
Gm is the same chord with the middle note a half step lower (B becomes B♭), which turns it from bright to dark.
Hear it in a progression
G – D – Em – C: I – V – vi – IV, the progression behind countless pop songs.
Playing it, but it doesn't sound right? Ivory listens to you play and tells you what's off: a note that's missing, a hand that lands late, a chord that's uneven. Then it shows you how it should go.
Questions people ask
What notes are in the G chord?
G (G major) is made of G, B and D: the root, major third and fifth.
How do you play G on piano?
With your right hand, use fingers 1 on G, 3 on B, 5 on D, and press them together. With your left hand: 5 on G, 3 on B, 1 on D.
What's the difference between G and Gm?
Gm is the same chord with the middle note a half step lower (B becomes B♭), which turns it from bright to dark.