How do I play the G chord?

The G chord is one of the two most common, most variable chords on guitar (the other one is E minor). Professional players regularly use several shapes of G. How many ways are there to play a G on guitar? Short answer ; lots!

Basic shapes for G : these are the easiest versions for beginners. Note the crosses above some strings in the chord diagrams; don’t play these strings. Although these versions of G are easy enough for beginners, they still have uses in regular guitar music. The first shape is the one most suitable for young beginners. The second is particularly useful for basic finger-style playing. The third is a good way for older beginners; the finger on the 6th string is meant to mute the 5th string (if you are a beginner, you are likely already doing so, unintentionally). The fourth chord is a handy G6 shape that can often substitute well for G in the key of C. It is also used in it’s own right and is an easy shape for establishing players.

Advanced G shapes : these are the versions that are most commonly used on recordings by accomplished players. They are all shapes that establishing players find challenging at first and can take several months to feel confident with. The fifth shape is the G bar-chord at the 3rd fret. It’s best not to attempt it until you are comfortable with the preceding shapes.

Some interesting alternative G shapes : because of our standard tuning (EADGBE) there are several interesting ways to play G and G6 chords in higher positions, and there are many other interesting G chord variations possible. In fact we, could fill several pages with alternative inversions and extensions of G major. Here is just six of those:

Modern guitar chord styles to the rescue!

Modern Guitar Chord Styles 1 : This is a very helpful book for entry-level players and those who have already learned the common chords but are still having trouble putting a full song together. If this reflects where you are up to, just a few weeks of the technique building work in MGCS1 will have you putting songs together.

Relevant pages in Modern Guitar Chord Styles 1 : The most used, standard form of G is introduced on page 8. Common embellishments on that form are found on page 25 and the bar-chord form of G is introduced on page 34.