G guitar chord
The G major chord: every way to play it on the neck, the notes in it, and the scales that sound good over it.
What's in G
- Notes
- G – B – D
- Formula
- 1 – 3 – 5
- Name
- G major
GG · B · D
5 ways to play it · Tuning E A D G B E
- Open
- E shape · 3rd fret
- D shape · 5th fret
- C shape · 7th fret
- A shape · 10th fret
What to play over G
Start with the chord's own notes — G, B, D — and land on them on the strong beats. Then reach for a scale; which one depends on the chord's job in the song.
- G major pentatonic scale
The safe start: the chord’s own three notes plus the 2 and the 6, nothing that clashes.
- G major scale
The full major scale, when the chord is the song’s home chord (I).
- G Lydian mode
A brighter, floating sound with the ♯4 — when the chord is a IV.
- G Mixolydian mode
The ♭7 gives it a bluesy, rock edge — when the chord is a V.
Questions
What notes are in a G chord?
G has 3 notes: G, B, D. Counted from the root, its formula is 1 – 3 – 5.
What scale goes with G?
G major pentatonic scale is the place to start. The safe start: the chord’s own three notes plus the 2 and the 6, nothing that clashes.