subject: Guitar For Kids -- The G Chord [print this page] Hey guys... Hey guys...
We're gonna talk about the G chord now, but first, let's review some stuff.
We have learned that all chords have formulas. Basic chords, which are the simplest, have these formulas:
For a major chord -- Root + major 3rd + minor 3rd ( R + M3 + m3 )
For a minor chord -- Root + minor 3rd + major 3rd ( R + m3 + M3 )
A major 3rd is made up of 4 half-steps, and a minor 3rd is made up of 3 half-steps.
Remember -- basic chords are made from 3rds. They all have a root, a 3rd, and a 5th (R + 3rd + 5th ). Also remember that the 5th of the root is ALSO the 3rd of the 3rd. For example, the C chord is:
C E G (C D E F G A B C)
R 3 5 (1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8)
Not only is G the 5th of C, it is the 3rd of E.
It's important that you understand this.
We're gonna build the G chord the same way that we did the C chord.
First, we know that G is a major chord (It doesn't have an "m" or "minor" written after it.) That means that the formula to build this thing will be R + M3 + m3.
We already know what the root is gonna be -- G. Right?
Now look at the chromatic scale. We know that the next step is to go up a major 3d to find that next note. A major 3rd IS 4 half-steps. So.... What's 4 half steps up from the root (G)?
A A#/Bb B C C#/Db D D#/Eb E F F#/Gb G G#/Ab A
Answer: B
Now for the next note. We need to find a minor 3rd up from the previous note. A minor 3rd is 3 half-steps. What's the answer?
Answer: D
So a G chord = G B D. This is the definition of a G chord. No other notes are allowed. Now let's look at the fingering of the chord. The high E string is on the right.
[ 3 2 0 0 0 3 ]
The first string has the 3rd finger on the 3rd fret. That note just so happens to be a G.
The 2nd string is an open string - B.
The 3rd string is an open string - G
The 4th string is also open - D
The 5th string has the 1st finger on the 2nd fret. That note is a B.
The 6th string has the 2nd finger on the 3rd string. That note is a G.
So the notes played for this chord are from high to low:
G B G D B G
Notice again that the only notes in this chord are a G, a B, and a D. That's it. Ain't no more. It doesn't matter if some of the notes repeat just as long as G B and D are the only notes.
There are other ways to play a G chord, but they will all have just G B and D in them.
Got it? Alright!
Professor Bruno Noteworthy
by: Professor Bruno Noteworthy: Toon Music Professor
