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Gm(Minor Chord)

A darker, more melancholic triad with a minor third instead of a major third.

Notes
G – A# – D
Intervals (semitones)
0 – 3 – 7
Type
Triad

🎹 Gm on Piano

Press highlighted keys simultaneously to play the Gm chord.

R
G(Root (R))
2
A#(Minor 3rd (♭3))
3
D(Perfect 5th)

🎸 Gm on Guitar

The Gm chord uses notes G, A#, D. Build a voicing by finding these notes on any strings — root on the 6th string is a common starting point for barre chord shapes.

Interval Analysis

DegreeInterval NameSemitonesNote in G
RootRoot (R)0G
3rdMinor 3rd (♭3)3A#
5thPerfect 5th7D

About the G Minor Chord

The Gm chord (G Minor) consists of 3 notes: G, A#, D. A darker, more melancholic triad with a minor third instead of a major third.

To build any minor chord, apply intervals of 0, 3, 7 semitones above the root. Starting from G: the notes land on G, A#, D.

Playing Gm on Piano

Press G, A#, D simultaneously. In root position, G is lowest. First inversion places A# in the bass for a lighter sound; second inversion uses D as the bass note.

Common Chord Progressions Using Gm

  • I–IV–V: Gm – Cm – Dm (blues and rock)
  • I–V–vi–IV: Gm – D – Em – C (pop staple)
  • I–vi–IV–V: Gm – Em – C – D (50s progression)

The Gm Chord in Context

As a minor chord, Gm is the tonic (I) in the key of G major. It also appears as the IV chord in D major, and as the V chord in C major — making it one of the most important chords across all of Western music.

Other G Chords

G
Major
G7
Dominant 7th
Gmaj7
Major 7th
Gm7
Minor 7th
Gdim
Diminished
Gaug
Augmented

Minor Chord in All 12 Keys

CmC#mDmD#mEmFmF#mGmG#mAmA#mBm
🎹 Virtual Piano
Play Gm on piano
🎸 Virtual Guitar
See on the fretboard
🎵 G Scale
Notes that fit Gm
🎶 Songs
Find songs using Gm

FAQ

Gm Chord — Frequently Asked Questions

What notes are in the Gm chord?
The G Minor chord contains: G, A#, D. These notes are derived by applying the minor interval formula (0–3–7 semitones) to the root note G.
What is the Gm chord used for?
A darker, more melancholic triad with a minor third instead of a major third. The Gm chord is used across pop, rock, jazz, and classical music. As the I chord in the key of G major, it functions as the most stable resting point in progressions.
How do you play Gm on piano?
On piano, play G, A#, D simultaneously. In root position, G is the lowest note. Inversions move the bass note up — first inversion has A# lowest, second inversion has D lowest.
How many notes are in a minor chord?
A minor chord has 3 notes: G, A#, D (in G). It is a triad — the most fundamental chord type.
What is the difference between G major and G minor?
The G major chord (G–B–D) uses a major third (4 semitones), giving it a bright, happy sound. The G minor chord (G–A#–D) uses a minor third (3 semitones), giving it a darker, emotional sound.
What key does Gm belong to?
Gm naturally serves as the I chord in the key of G major. It also appears as IV in the key of D major, and as V in the key of C major.
Can I play Gm on ukulele?
Yes. The ukulele uses GCEA tuning with 4 strings. The Gm chord notes (G, A#, D) can be fretted on a ukulele, though the shapes differ from guitar due to the 4-string layout and shorter scale.
What chords go well with Gm?
In the key of G major, Gm pairs naturally with C major (IV), D major (V), and Em (vi). The classic I–IV–V (Gm–C–D) is the foundation of blues, country, and rock.
What is a chord inversion of Gm?
An inversion places a non-root note in the bass. Gm root position: G in bass. First inversion: A# in bass. Second inversion: D in bass. Inversions create smoother bass line movement without changing the harmony.
How do I memorize the notes in a minor chord?
Remember the formula: 0–3–7 semitones from root. For Gm: start on G, add 3 semitones, then 7 semitones. Practicing this across all 12 roots builds instant recognition of any minor chord.