G natural minor
Two flats, B♭ E♭. Seven notes: G A B♭ C D E♭ F. Try the key’s seven chords in different places on the neck. Press a shape to hear it and see its notes.
Across one chord in different positions. Down the chords in one position. | ||||
| iMainGmG · B♭ · D | ||||
| ii°A°A · C · E♭ | ||||
| IIIMainB♭B♭ · D · F | ||||
| ivCmC · E♭ · G | ||||
| vDmD · F · A | ||||
| VIMainE♭E♭ · G · B♭ | ||||
| VIIMainFF · A · C |
Sounds good
Three patterns to try
Walk up to Cm. Strum Gm, pick A and B♭ on the way up, land on Cm. Listen to how the bass connects the chords.
Triads on the top three strings. Three notes, three places, all Gm. Try them when a full six-string chord feels too busy.
- LowFret 3
- MiddleFrets 6–8
- HighFrets 10–12
Same chords, higher. The four main chords in the open position, then again in frets 5 to 8. Listen to how the higher voicings change the sound.
Exercises in G minor
Four drills, with a click
Play along with the metronome. The neck above highlights each step.
- Four chords in one positionGm – B♭ – E♭ – F without leaving frets 2 to 6.70 bpmLevel 1
- Climb with one chordGm in all four places, low to high. Hear it brighten.60 bpmLevel 1
- Walk up to CmStrum Gm, then walk the bass A – B♭ into Cm.90 bpmLevel 2
- Scale, then chordsPlay the scale in frets 5 to 8, then the four chords there.70 bpmLevel 2
Why two flats
D minor with E lowered
- G
- A
- B♭
- C
- D
- E♭
- F
- G
- A
- B♭
- C
- D
- E
- F
G minor is D minor with E lowered to E♭.
Harmonic minor
Harmonic minor change
Raising the seventh to F♯ changes Dm to D major on the fifth degree.