The G chord on piano is made up of three notes: G B D. This is a major chord - G major chord.
Here you'll find a G chord diagram, learn the fingering, notes, inversions and some basic theory for the G major chord. You can also find out what G/B and G/D means.
The G major chord has the notes G, B and D.
These notes can be played in any order but it's a good idea to keep G as the very lowest note - for example, in your left hand.
I generally play the chord in my right hand and a G as a bass note in my left hand.
When you're just beginning, you play this chord generally in root position, as written in the picture above.
The best fingers to use in root position - what you see above - is your thumb, middle finger and pinkie. In your right hand, the finger numbers are 1 3 5. (Left hand is 5 3 1.)
You can play the G chord in different positions - called inversions. This is the next step after you're comfortable with root position.
Below are the different positions or inversions for the G chord on piano.
Root position: G B D
First inversion: B D G (fingers 1 2 5 - RH)
Second inversion: D G B
If you see the chord G/B, this means to play the G chord with B as it's lowest note.
So on the piano, you'll play the G chord in the right hand and B as the left hand note.
Or if you're playing the chord in your left hand, play the first inversion of the chord.
If you need to play G/D, this means to play the G chord with D as the lowest note.
To play this, you can play the G chord in your right hand and a D as the left hand note.
If you want to play the chord in your left hand, play the second inversion of the chord.
The G major chord is based off of the G major scale.
A major chord has the formula of 1 3 5 - meaning you play the 1st, 3rd and 5th notes of the scale, in this case, the G major scale.
So for the G major chord, you play the first note of the scale - G. Then the third note of the scale - B and then fifth note - D.
That is how the G chord is made and the G scale is it's foundation.
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That's really all you need to know about the G major chord on the piano.
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