Gm chord (G minor) on bass
Gm (G minor) has three notes: G, B flat and D. Its formula is 1, b3, 5. In major keys, Gm is the ii chord in F major, the iii in Eb major and the vi in Bb major.
How to play Gm on bass
Low notes close together sound muddy, so bass players spread a chord out and leave notes out. Forms with a 3rd or 7th sound clear from about the E string's 8th fret up, so they start there; root and 5th stays low. These forms put the root on the E string; the same shapes work from the A string.
Fingers: 1 on E, 1 on G.
Fingers: 1 on E, 3 on A, 1 on G.
Fingers: 1 on E, 3 on A.
Fingers: 1 on E, 3 on A, 3 on D.
Hear it and see every shape in ScaleSpace →
| Symbol | Gm |
|---|---|
| Also written | Gmin, G- |
| Notes | G Bb D |
| Formula | 1 b3 5 |
| Intervals | root, minor third, perfect fifth |
| Type | Minor chord |
Gm across the neck
Bass · 4-string, tuned low to high: E, A, D, G. 24 frets.
- E string: fret 3 G (1), fret 6 Bb (flat 3), fret 10 D (5), fret 15 G (1), fret 18 Bb (flat 3), fret 22 D (5).
- A string: fret 1 Bb (flat 3), fret 5 D (5), fret 10 G (1), fret 13 Bb (flat 3), fret 17 D (5), fret 22 G (1).
- D string: fret 0 D (5), fret 5 G (1), fret 8 Bb (flat 3), fret 12 D (5), fret 17 G (1), fret 20 Bb (flat 3), fret 24 D (5).
- G string: fret 0 G (1), fret 3 Bb (flat 3), fret 7 D (5), fret 12 G (1), fret 15 Bb (flat 3), fret 19 D (5), fret 24 G (1).
Swipe the chart sideways to see all of it.
Questions
What notes are in the Gm chord?
Gm (G minor) has three notes: G, B flat and D. Its formula is 1, b3, 5. G is the root, Bb is the minor third and D is the perfect fifth.
How do you play Gm on bass?
Bass players spread it out rather than strum it. The simplest form is the root and 10th: 1 b10, root on the E string, fret 15. Fingers: 1 on E, 1 on G.
What key is Gm in?
In major keys, Gm is the ii chord in F major, the iii in Eb major and the vi in Bb major. It is diatonic to those keys, so it fits songs in any of them.
What is the difference between Gm and G?
Gm has a minor 3rd, Bb. G major raises it a half step to B. The root and 5th stay the same.