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G minor (Gm) on guitar

The G minor scale consists of the notes G – A – B♭ – C – D – E♭ – F and has 2 flats. Below you can see every usable note on the neck up to fret 15.

G minorNatural minor scale

♪ Click a note on the fretboard to hear its sound.

E
B
G
D
A
E
0123•45•67•89•101112••131415•
Root noteOther notes
Click a note to hear it · frets 0–15

Chords in G minor

Common progression: Gm – E♭ – B♭ – F (i–VI–III–VII).

Quick overview

Root note
G
Mode
minor
Key signature
2 flats
Pentatonic
G B♭ C D F
Relative key
B♭ major

Well-known songs in G minor

  • Bad GuyBillie Eilish
  • Evil WaysSantana
  • I Shot the SheriffEric Clapton
  • RoxanneThe Police
  • Smoke on the WaterDeep Purple

Key of the original recording; live versions or covers may differ.

CAGED positions

With the CAGED system you play Gm in five positions across the whole neck. Each shape connects to the next.

  • Gm shapearound fret 0 · root on low E string, fret 3
  • Em shapearound fret 3 · root on low E string, fret 3
  • Dm shapearound fret 5 · root on D string, fret 5
  • Cm shapearound fret 7 · root on A string, fret 10
  • Am shapearound fret 10 · root on A string, fret 10

Learn G minor in 5 steps

  1. Step 1

    Find the root note G

    Find G on the low E string (fret 3) and on the A string (fret 10). Play them alternately and say the name out loud. Every pattern below hangs off these two points.

  2. Step 2

    Play the main chords

    Learn the three most important chords: Gm (i), Cm (iv) and Dm (v). Switch between them at a slow tempo until you can play through without stopping.

  3. Step 3

    Learn the pentatonic in box 1

    The minor pentatonic (G B♭ C D F) is the first pattern to learn. Put your index finger around fret 3 and play two notes per string, from the low E to the high e and back.

  4. Step 4

    Extend to the full scale

    Add the two missing notes (A and E♭) in the same position. Now you're playing all seven notes of G mineur: G A B♭ C D E♭ F.

  5. Step 5

    Improvise over a chord progression

    Record Gm – E♭ – F – Gm (or ask someone to play it) and solo over it using box 1. End your phrases on G and listen to how that "coming home" sounds.

Playing G minor with a capo

Go to the capo guide

Solo tips for G minor

  1. Start with the minor pentatonic scale (G B♭ C D F). The best-known "box" pattern starts on the root G on the low E string, fret 3.
  2. End your phrases on the root G for a resolved feeling, or on the third B♭ and fifth D for tension.
  3. Add the blue note D♭ as a passing note for a bluesy sound — don't linger on it too long.
  4. Over the Dm chord (the v) deliberately play the notes of that chord to make the chord changes audible.
  5. Want a more classical, "Spanish" sound? Raise the 7th degree to F♯ (harmonic minor), especially over the V chord.

Frequently asked questions about G minor

Which notes are in G mineur?

G mineur (Gm) consists of the notes G, A, B♭, C, D, E♭, F. The key signature has 2 flats.

Which chords fit G mineur?

The diatonic chords in G mineur are Gm, Adim, B♭, Cm, Dm, E♭, F. You can freely combine them; they all sound good within the key.

What is the relative key of G mineur?

The relative key is B♭ major. It uses exactly the same notes and key signature, just with a different tonal centre.

Which pentatonic scale do you use in G mineur?

Use the minor pentatonic scale: G, B♭, C, D, F. It avoids the "tricky" half-step intervals and almost always sounds good.

How do I find G on the guitar neck?

You'll find the root G on the low E string at fret 3 and on the A string at fret 10, among other places.