G major chord on piano (G)
G is G, B and D. G sits between the first two black keys of the three. Hit Play and watch each key light as it sounds.
root position · G–B–D · right hand 1-3-5
- Notes
- G · B · D
- Formula
- 1 · 3 · 5
How to play G on piano
Count keys (black and white) from G: 4 half steps up to B then 3 half steps up to D. Those 3 keys are G.
- Right hand: 1 on G, 3 on B and 5 on D.
- Left hand: 5 on G, 3 on B and 1 on D.
- On the keyboard it's white, white and white keys, the same pattern as C and F, so your hand shape carries over.
G inversions
- root position: G–B–D. Fingers 1-3-5.
- 1st inversion: B–D–G, with B at the bottom. RH 1-2-5.
- 2nd inversion: D–G–B, D lowest. RH 1-3-5.
Use the inversions to stay put: the next chord is often one inversion away from where your hand already is, as the changes below show.
Moving between G and its neighbours
These are the changes you'll meet most often with G, using the first shape of each chord.
- C (IV in G major): G to C: play C in 2nd inversion (G–C–E) and G stays under the same finger, while B moves up to C and D up to E. C on piano
- D (V in G major): G to D: play D in 1st inversion (F♯–A–D) and D stays under the same finger, while G moves down to F♯ and B down to A. D on piano
- Em (vi in G major): G to Em: play Em in 1st inversion (G–B–E) and G and B stay under the same fingers, while D moves up to E. Em on piano
G is a major triad: bright, settled and stable. Major chords are the backbone of most songs; G is home in G major and a common IV or V in the keys around it. The one-by-one button above makes that quality easy to hear.
A short G drill
Play G broken, one key at a time: G, B, D, B, G. Then press the keys together and check that all 3 sound at the same volume. Then climb the inversions: G–B–D, then B–D–G, then D–G–B.
The keys of G
G is a major chord, 1–3–5 from G. Root position, from the bottom: how G is built.
| Note | Key | Fingers | Role |
|---|---|---|---|
| G | white key | RH 1 · LH 5 | root |
| B | white key | RH 3 · LH 3 | major third |
| D | white key | RH 5 · LH 1 | perfect fifth |
G in context
In G major, I–V–vi–IV on piano is G (G–B–D), D (D–F♯–A), Em (E–G–B) and C (C–E–G). About the pop progression.
In G major, I–IV–V on piano is G (G–B–D), C (C–E–G) and D (D–F♯–A). About the three-chord progression.
In G major, I–vi–IV–V on piano is G (G–B–D), Em (E–G–B), C (C–E–G) and D (D–F♯–A). About the 50s progression.
G on guitar and ukulele
G on guitar and ukulele uses the same 3 notes in a different layout. See all three together.
Related G chords on piano
Other major chords
G on piano: questions
What notes are in G on piano?
G, B and D: G (white key), B (white key) and D (white key). Right hand 1-3-5, left hand 5-3-1.
How do you play G on piano?
Press G, B and D together, all white keys. Right hand: 1 on G, 3 on B and 5 on D.
What are the inversions of G?
1st inversion (B–D–G) and 2nd inversion (D–G–B), after root position (G–B–D). Each keeps all the notes of the chord.
What does G look like on the keyboard?
white, white and white keys, the same pattern as C and F, so one hand shape covers all of them.
Every shape above plays only G, B and D, checked by the site's tests. Updated September 2026.