G Major
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The G major chord is a triad formed from a root (G), a major third (B) and a perfect fifth (D).
How to play G major on the piano
As one of the major chords that only uses the white keys of the piano, G major is commonly used in music. You'll find the root of the chord, G, between the first two black keys you see on the keyboard in groups of three.
The G major chord is made up of three notes: G, B, and D. When using your right hand, the root position chord is played by using the following fingers:
D - Fifth finger (5)
B - Third finger (3)
G - First finger (1)
Read: Here's everything you need to know about major and minor chords
With your left hand, you'd play the root position chord of G major with the following fingers:
D - First finger (1)
B - Third finger (3)
G - Fifth finger (5)
Depending on the music you're playing, you might find that the fingers you use to play the chord change. Watch the video above to see how the G major chord is built.
What are the inversions of G major?
Now that you're comfortable with the root position of G major, let's look at the two inversions. By changing the order of the notes, you'll be able to play the 1st and 2nd inversions.
How to play the 1st inversion of G major
G major's 1st inversion puts the B as the lowest note of the chord. Use the following fingers to play the chord with your right hand:
G - Fifth finger (5)
D - Second finger (2)
B - First finger (1)
Read: Here's everything you need to know about chord inversions.
How to play the 2nd inversion of G major
The lowest note of G major's 2nd inversion is D. To play the inversion with the right hand, use the following fingers:
B - Fifth finger (5)
G - Third finger (3)
D - First finger (1)
