G Major chord in the 1st position below.

G Major Chord

G – Root
B – 3rd
D – 5th

When played on guitar the notes are in this order G, B, D, G, B, G. The G is the Root note. B is the 3rd note in the G major scale and the D is the 5th note in the G major scale.

We strum all 6 strings for the G chord. The G major chord can be played in many places on the guitar. In this example, we are talking about the G in 1st or open position.

Practice strumming the chord as well as picking the notes individually. Switch between the G, D and C major chords. Practice switching between G and D, then G and C. Work on getting smooth with your transitions. You’d be amazed how many songs you can play with just these three chords!

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Reading Fretboard Diagrams

Throughout these lessons there will be fretboard diagrams. Like the one following: This fretboard diagram represents a C Major scale. The string on the top is the high E string.

E Minor Scale

The notes of the E Minor Scale are E, F#, G, A, B, C, D. The Chords in the E Minor scale are: Minor Dim Major Minor Minor Major Major

Seventh Chords

A seventh chord is a triad that you add the seventh note to. A dominant seventh chord is a major triad with a minor seventh. A major seventh chord is