G major is one of the most important chords there is. But the usual shape stretches your hand across all six strings – a lot for small hands. Here are four ways, from the easiest to the fullest sound. All of them are made of the notes G, B and D.
1. Mini G: one finger
Ring finger on the high E string at the 3rd fret and strum only the four thin strings: D, G, B and G. The lowest note is D, not G – that’s why mini G sounds a little lighter. It’s the best start and goes well with mini C and D.
2. Thumb G: two fingers, full sound
Wrap your thumb over the neck and press the low E string at the 3rd fret. Its tip touches the A string so it doesn’t ring. Add your ring finger on the high E string at the 3rd fret. Now you can strum across all the strings – the A string stays muted, which is why the diagram shows an x there. The lowest note is a G. This works better with big hands and a slim neck.
3. The full G with three fingers
Middle finger on the low E string at the 3rd fret, index finger on the A string at the 2nd fret, ring finger on the high E string at the 3rd fret. All six strings ring. That’s the shape in the diagram below.
G4. Rock G: four fingers, quicker changes
Like the full G, but your ring finger sits on the B string and your little finger on the high E string, both at the 3rd fret. It looks harder, but when you change to Cadd9 or Dsus4 those two fingers simply stay put. More in campfire tricks.