G major chord on piano

G · Gmaj · GM — the bright, stable sound most songs are built on.

Notes	G – B – D
Formula	1 – 3 – 5
Symbols	G, Gmaj, GM
Fingering (root position)	Right hand 1 3 5 · Left hand 5 3 1

How to play G major on the piano

Start on G. Add the third (B) and the fifth (D). With the right hand use fingers 1 3 5; with the left hand 5 3 1. Press the keys together for the chord, or one after another for an arpeggio.

Inversions

The same notes in a different order: the lowest note changes, the chord stays G major. Inversions let you move between chords with small steps.

Root position

G – B – D · RH 1 3 5 · LH 5 3 1

1st inversion

B – D – G · RH 1 2 5 · LH 5 3 1

2nd inversion

D – G – B · RH 1 3 5 · LH 5 2 1

Which keys use G major

In these keys the chord is built from the notes of the scale itself:

V in C major
IV in D major
III in E minor
I in G major
VII in A minor
VI in B minor

Its relative minor chord is E minor.

Other G chords

G minor G diminished G augmented G sus2 G sus4 G6 G7 G major seventh G minor seventh G diminished seventh G half-diminished

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