Open Position G and Gm Chords

Learn how to play open position G and Gm chords!

The open position G chord is played using all strings, the intervals, from low to high are:

Root, 3rd, 5th, Root, 3rd and Root.

If you fret the 2nd strings fret 3 you get:

Root, 3rd, 5th, Root, 5th and Root.

Both variations are G chords, but they sound different, experiment and memorize both.

In contrast to most other shapes, the G and Gm chord use different strings.

Open Position G Chords

The open position Gm chord is played using all string 6, 4, 3 and 2, the intervals, from low to high are:

Root, 5th, m3rd and 5th.

The open position Gm chord will probably be new even to the most experienced player.

It’s essential to understand how this shape is created!

As you can see we don’t play string 5 and 1, this is because it would be too difficult to fret, and it wouldn’t sound very good either.

Mute string 5 with the flesh of your middle finger and the top string with the flesh of your little finger.

This way you can strum over all 6 strings.