Let’s learn how to play a G chord on piano. The G major chord, perhaps second to the C major chord is one of the first chords that one learns when learning to play the piano or keyboard. It is a very simple chord and consists only of white keys. A G maj chord is formed by combining the notes G B D(G, B and D). Like any other major chord, it is the combination of a root, a major 3rd and a perfect 5th.
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Firstly, locate the note G on your keyboard. Do you see the pattern of black notes? A set of two notes, followed by three notes, then two notes, three notes and so on? G is the white note right after the first black note in the set of three black notes. To get your second note, B, skip one white note, A. The white note after A is B. And lastly, skip another white note and you arrive at D. In terms of tones, B is two tones after G, and D is one and a half tones after B.
The G chord can be played in different ways or inversions. In root position, the notes are G B D. In the first inversion the notes are B D G and in the second inversion, D B G. The diagram on the right shows the G maj chord in root position, 1st and 2nd inversions.
How about the fingering for the G major chord (right hand)? In root position, play G with the first finger (thumb), play B with the third finger (middle finger), and play D with the fifth finger (pinky finger). In the first inversion, play B with finger 1, D with finger 2 and G with finger 5. For the second inversion play D with finger 1, G with finger 3, and B with finger 5.
Short Video: How To Play The G Major Chord On Piano And Keyboard
The G major chord occurs naturally in the following keys:
G major (chord I). Relative minor: E minor (chord III) D major (chord IV). Relative minor: B minor (chord VI) C major (chord V). Relative minor: A minor (chord VII)
For an understanding of chords and the keys in which they occur, go to the page, Chords By Key.
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