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There are two ways to play G minor as a full barre chord: the E shape with your first finger across all six strings at the 3rd fret, or the A shape across five strings at the 10th fret. Neither sits at the nut, so G minor is a friendlier barre than F or B♭.
The library above opens on Gm showing only barre shapes, 3 of them, with finger numbers and a difficulty rating. Tap one to hear whether yours rings the same.
Notes in Gm
G (root), B♭ (minor third), D (fifth). A barre shape doubles them across five or six strings, which is why it sounds so full. You will need it in E♭ major (iii), F major (ii), B♭ major (vi), C minor (v), D minor (iv). More about G minor: every shape, the keys it belongs to and easier versions.
How to play G minor as a barre chord
E-shape barre at fret 3Medium355333A-shape barre at fret 10Mediumx(10)(12)(12)(11)(10)E-shape barre at fret 3Hard3553x6
E-shape barre at fret 3 (root on the 6th string), step by step
Lay your 1st finger (index) flat across the 6th string to the 1st string at the 3rd fret.
3rd finger (ring): 5th string, 5th fret (D, the fifth).
4th finger (little): 4th string, 5th fret (G, the root).
Strum from the 6th string across all six strings.
Barre chord tips for Gm
The E-shape barre sits at the 3rd fret, with the root G under your first finger on the 6th string. It is the open Em chord moved up 3 frets, with your first finger doing the job of the nut. String by string it gives 6th string G, 5th string D, 4th string G, 3rd string B♭, 2nd string D, 1st string G.
The A-shape barre sits at the 10th fret, with the root on the 5th string. It is the open Am shape moved up 10 frets; leave the 6th string out. It gives 5th string G, 4th string D, 3rd string G, 2nd string B♭, 1st string D.
Around the 3rd fret the strings are lower than at the nut, so this barre is easier than F or B♭ at the 1st fret: keep the first finger straight and close to the fret wire, and use the dot on the 3rd fret to find the spot without looking twice.
The same shape one fret lower is F♯m, one fret higher G♯m: once Gm rings cleanly, slide it to play every minor chord.
No barre yet? Put a capo on the 3rd fret and play the open Em shape (022000): it sounds exactly like Gm.
Practice: switch between Gm, Cm, D7 as barre chords, four strums each, keeping your first finger in contact with the strings as you move.
Common questions
Which fret is the Gm barre chord on?
The E shape is on the 3rd fret (355333); the A shape on the 10th fret (x(10)(12)(12)(11)(10)).
Can I play Gm without a barre?
Yes: capo on the 3rd fret and play an open Em (022000). Or use the open position shape (31003x).
Should I use the E shape or the A shape?
Use the one closest to the chords around it. The E shape at the 3rd fret has the deeper sound (its lowest note is G on the 6th string); the A shape at the 10th fret is higher up the neck and leaves the 6th string out.
Why does my Gm barre buzz?
The strings held only by the barre are the ones that buzz: in the E shape that is the 6th string, 3rd string, 2nd string, 1st string at the 3rd fret (G, B♭, D, G). Play them one at a time and move your first finger slightly until a crease is not sitting on any of them.
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