The G major chord contains G – B – D (Root – Major 3rd – Perfect 5th). Standard open position: 320003. It appears in G major (I), C major (V), D major (IV).
Character & Sound
Rich, full-bodied, and versatile — the open G major chord is one of the most beloved sounds in acoustic guitar. Its spread voicing across all six strings creates a warm, resonant tone particularly suited to strumming.
Folk, country, rock. G is the I chord in G major — one of the most guitar-friendly keys. The G–Em–C–D progression appears in hundreds of folk, country, and pop songs.
The parallel chord is G minor — same root, minor 3rd instead of major. Compare them side by side in the Chord Finder.
How to Play the G Major Guitar Chord
Place your middle finger on the 3rd fret of the low E string, index on the 2nd fret of the A string, and pinky on the 3rd fret of the high E string. D, G, and B strings ring open. An alternative fingering uses ring on low E and pinky on high E to free up the index for quick chord changes.
Songs That Use G
- "Wish You Were Here" – Pink Floyd
- "Knockin' on Heaven's Door" – Bob Dylan
- "Country Roads" – John Denver
- "Wagon Wheel" – Old Crow Medicine Show
Explore Chord Voicings Interactively
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Open Chord Finder →Frequently Asked Questions
What notes are in the G major chord?
The G major chord contains G – B – D (root, major 3rd, perfect 5th).
How do you play G major on guitar?
320003 — middle on 3rd fret low E, index on 2nd fret A, pinky on 3rd fret high E. Strum all six strings.
What keys use the G major chord?
G major appears in G major (I), C major (V), D major (IV), and E minor (III).
What is the best fingering for G major?
Two common fingerings: middle/index/pinky (320003) or ring/middle/pinky — the second frees your index for transitions to Cadd9 or other chord shapes.