G Ukulele Chord

G is the G major chord. It has three notes: G, B and D. The open shape is a small triangle: index on the C string at the 2nd fret, middle on the A string at the 2nd, ring on the E string at the 3rd, with the g string open.

The open G triangle: index and middle at the 2nd fret on the C and A strings, ring at the 3rd on the E string, g string open on top.

How to play G on ukulele, step by step

Index finger: 2nd fret, C string
Middle finger: 2nd fret, A string
Ring finger: 3rd fret, E string
Leave the G string open. Strum all four strings.

This is the same triangle guitarists know as the D chord, on a different instrument: same picture, different name. If you have played guitar, your hand already knows the shape.

More ways to play G

There are 3 common G shapes: the standard one at the top of the page, plus these further up the neck. You only ever need one. Tap any card to hear it.

G ukulele chord diagram, frets 5 to 7, played 0775 — Frets 5 to 7

G ukulele chord diagram, barre at fret 7, played 7 7 7 10 — Barre at fret 7

If your G buzzes or mumbles

The E string note chokes: The ring finger is being crowded by the middle finger next to it. Stand each finger on its tip so the knuckles stack upright instead of leaning.
The open g string goes quiet: Nothing should touch it. Check the index is not stretching flat across the neck; curl it so the g string has clear air behind the nut.
The triangle collapses between chords: Practise landing all three fingers at once. Aim the ring finger at the E string first; the other two fall into place around it.

What makes it a G

G · B · D 1 3 5

G major is the root G, the major third B and the fifth D. In the open shape the g string and the E string at the 3rd fret both sound G, so the chord carries its root twice, which is what gives the little triangle its full voice.

G is the I chord in the key of G, the IV chord in D and the V chord in C. The last job is the big one: C is the ukulele's home key, so G is the chord that answers C in an enormous share of songs and then hands the music back.

G vs Gm

One note moves: the B in G falls to B flat in Gm. That half step is the entire distance between the major chord's brightness and the minor's shadow.

On the ukulele the moving note sits on the A string: it plays at the 2nd fret in G and at the 1st in Gm. The rest of the shape barely changes, which makes G to Gm a satisfying change to practise slowly and actually hear.

G chord questions

Is G hard for beginners?

It is usually the first three finger chord a player meets. The fingers sit close together in a compact triangle, so it comes faster than it looks.

Why does G on ukulele look like D on guitar?

A ukulele in gCEA tuning is pitched like a guitar capoed at the 5th fret, so guitar shapes reappear under new names. Guitar's D triangle lands on ukulele as G.

Does this G shape work on a baritone ukulele?

No. A baritone is tuned DGBE like the top four guitar strings, so this grip names a different chord there. On a baritone the same fingering is actually D.

What is the difference between G and G7?

G7 swaps the top of the chord: the E string note moves from the 3rd fret down to the 1st. One finger slides and the chord starts pulling toward C.

What keys use the G chord?

G is home in the key of G and the essential V chord in C, the most common ukulele key of all. Between the two it appears in most songbooks on most pages.