Gm Guitar Chord

Gm is the G minor chord. It has three notes: G, B♭ and D. There is no open shape, so the standard Gm is the Em shape barred at the 3rd fret. Fret 3 is much kinder than fret 1, which makes Gm a sensible chord to learn the six string barre on.

The Em shape barred at the 3rd fret, the same grip as Fm two frets lower with noticeably less resistance from the strings.

How to play Gm, step by step

Index finger: press flat across the low E to high E strings at fret 3
Ring finger: 5th fret, A string
Pinky finger: 5th fret, D string
Strum all six strings.

Once this sits well, you own the whole neck: the same grip is Fm at fret 1, Am at fret 5, Bm at fret 7. One shape, every minor chord.

Easy Gm for beginners (no barre)

While the full barre matures, play xx5333: the ring finger takes the G root on the D string, and the index lies across just the G, B and high E strings at the 3rd fret. Three light strings under one finger is a much fairer fight than six.

You are not playing a lesser chord. Root, third and fifth are what make G minor G minor, and the shape has them all: G, B♭, D and G again. It is missing bass, not identity.

It also happens to be the top half of the real thing. When you later stretch the index across all six strings and add the pinky, the shape your other fingers know stays exactly where it was.

More ways to play Gm

There are 4 common Gm shapes in total: the standard one at the top of the page, plus these, easiest first. You only ever need one. Tap any card to hear it.

Gm guitar chord diagram, easier, small barre, played xx5333 — Easier, small barre

Gm guitar chord diagram, compact, frets 5 to 8, played xx5786 — Compact, frets 5 to 8

Gm guitar chord diagram, barre at fret 10, played x 10 12 12 11 10 — Barre at fret 10

If strings mumble or die

Buzzing on the barre strings: The low E, G, B and high E all ride on the index here. Set the barre just behind the 3rd fret, tilt it a few degrees onto its edge, and add pressure at the ends rather than the middle.
The G string goes missing: The underside of the pinky is the usual culprit. Arch both the ring and pinky at the 5th fret so they clear the strings above the ones they press.
The whole chord sounds strangled: Too much thumb. Loosen the clamp, drop the thumb to the middle of the neck's back, and let the weight of the arm pull the fingers into the strings.

What makes it a Gm

G · B♭ · D 1 ♭3 5

Gm is a minor triad: G, a minor third B♭, and a fifth D. It is the relative minor of B♭ major and the ii chord of F major, which places it in soul, funk and jazz territory: Back to Black and Let's Get It On both reach it inside flat keys, and in Bohemian Rhapsody it is the vi chord of B♭. Play with keyboard or horn players and Gm turns up constantly.

Gm vs G

G major has a B, Gm has a B♭, and that one half step forces a completely different grip: G major owns one of the easiest open shapes on the instrument, while Gm has no open shape at all. The jump from open G to barred Gm trips up a lot of players; the no barre version above is the softer on ramp while your barre gets reliable.

Gm chord questions

Why is there no open Gm chord?

An open Gm would need a B♭, and no open string provides one. The nearest fretted arrangements do not fall into a comfortable open pattern, so Gm is played as a barre or a partial shape.

Is Gm a good first barre chord?

One of the best. It uses the classic Em shape barre, but at the 3rd fret, where the strings need noticeably less force than at fret 1.

What songs use Gm?

Bohemian Rhapsody, Back to Black and Let's Get It On all feature it.

What is the difference between Gm and G?

One note: B♭ in Gm against B in G major. On guitar the shapes are unrelated, which is why the pair feels harder than it is.

How do I play Gm without a barre?

Use xx5333: ring finger on the 5th fret of the D string, index across the top three strings at the 3rd fret.