Gm Ukulele Chord

Gm is the G minor chord. It has three notes: G, B flat and D. The standard shape is a compact triangle: index on the 1st fret of the A string, middle on the 2nd fret of the C string, ring on the 3rd fret of the E string, with the G string open.

A triangle inside three frets: index at the 1st fret of the A string, middle at the 2nd fret of the C string, ring at the 3rd fret of the E string, with the G string open.

How to play Gm on ukulele, step by step

Index finger: 1st fret, A string
Middle finger: 2nd fret, C string
Ring finger: 3rd fret, E string
Leave the G string open. Strum all four strings.

Gm is the G shape with one finger moved: the A string drops from the 2nd fret to the 1st, B natural falling to B flat. Everything else stays where G major put it.

More ways to play Gm

There are 3 common Gm 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.

Gm ukulele chord diagram, frets 5 to 7, played 0765 — Frets 5 to 7

Gm ukulele chord diagram, frets 7 to 10, played 7 10 10 10 — Frets 7 to 10

If it sounds wrong

The open G string is muted: The middle finger on the C string is reaching over. Arch it and let the open string ring; it is the root of the chord.
The three fingers trip over each other: They form a diagonal, one fret per string. Land the ring finger first at the 3rd fret of the E string and let the others fall in below it.
It sounds like G major: The A string must sit at the 1st fret. At the 2nd it plays B natural and the chord brightens back into G.

What makes it a Gm

G · B♭ · D 1 ♭3 5

Gm is a minor triad: G, a minor third B flat, and a fifth D. The open G string is the root, so the fretted notes only need to supply the rest, and the whole shape lives inside the first three frets.

Gm is the relative minor of B flat major and works as the ii of F and the vi of B flat. The key of F is comfortable on the ukulele, which makes Gm the flat side minor a player is most likely to actually need.

Gm vs G

One finger separates them: the A string at the 1st fret for Gm, at the 2nd for G. The note that moves is the third, B flat against B natural, and it is the highest voice in both shapes, so the change is easy to hear.

Because the swap is one finger on one fret, this pair is the best place on the instrument to practise major to minor changes without the hand moving at all.

Gm chord questions

Is Gm easy on the ukulele?

Yes. Three fingers inside the first three frets, no barre, and the root rings on the open G string.

What is the difference between Gm and G?

One note: the A string at the 1st fret instead of the 2nd. B flat against B natural is the minor against the major third.

Do you strum all four strings in Gm?

Yes. The open G string is the root of the chord, so everything rings.

How do I switch quickly from G to Gm?

Move the A string note back one fret. Most players also swap which fingers hold the C and A strings, with the index taking the 1st fret; try both fingerings and keep the one that changes fastest.

What keys use Gm?

It is the ii chord of F major, the vi chord of B flat major, and the home chord of G minor.