G Major Chord: Guitar, Piano and Notes
The G Major chord is built on the root note G. Its notes are G, B and D.
Major chords feel bright, stable and resolved. A root, a major third and a perfect fifth give them a happy, confident sound. Most popular music is built on them.
G Major on piano
Switch to the interactive diagram to hear the chord, change voicing and swap finger numbers for note names.
To play G Major on piano, place your right-hand thumb on G, middle finger on B, and little finger on D. Press the keys together and listen for an even sound. Practice moving in and out of the chord slowly, then bring in a metronome.
G Major on guitar
Switch to the interactive diagram to hear the chord, change voicing and swap finger numbers for note names.
On guitar, G Major is commonly played with the voicing shown above. Strum only the strings marked as active in the diagram.
Play the chord
G Major chord notes
| Degree | Interval | Semitones | Note |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Root | 0 | G |
| 3 | Major third | 4 | B |
| 5 | Perfect fifth | 7 | D |
How to use the G Major chord
The G Major chord is built from a root, a major third and a perfect fifth. Start at the root G and stack the intervals to get the whole chord: G, B and D. The same formula gives you the chord in any other key.
You'll find major chords in almost every style of popular music: rock anthems, country ballads, pop hits and hymns. They commonly appear as the I, IV and V chords in a major key.
Famous Songs in G Major
These well-known tracks all feature the G Major chord - a great way to put it in musical context.
- 1Sweet Home AlabamaLynyrd Skynyrd
- 2WonderwallOasis
- 3Take Me Home Country RoadsJohn Denver
- 4Knockin on Heavens DoorBob Dylan
- 5Good RiddanceGreen Day
Common progressions
The G Major chord works beautifully in these progressions. Click a chord name to jump to its page.
Scales that contain G
These scales include G as one of their diatonic chords. Use them to find melodies and improvisation ideas that fit perfectly.
Related chords to G Major
Once G Major feels comfortable, the chords below open up new progressions. Each one shares notes, keys or a harmonic function with it, which is what makes it the natural place to go next.
Frequently asked questions
What notes are in the G Major chord?
Is the G Major chord major or minor?
How do you play G Major on piano?
How do you play G Major on guitar?
What chords work well with G Major?
Keep exploring
Deepen your understanding of the G Major chord with our other music theory tools.