Getting to Know G Minor
G minor is a seven-note collection: G, A, Bb, C, D, Eb and F, the G minor scale with two flats. Hum the open G string to fix the sound of the root, then start the first shape on the 3rd fret of the low E string.
The A string root is on the 10th fret. Bb major shares the notes, so it is a good partner key for a song that moves between the two. For the exercise side of things, try a scale exercise that breaks up the scalar sound.
Play the G minor scale
Use the step menu in the player to switch between the single-string run and the box shapes.
Notes of the G minor scale
| Note | Degree | Interval | Semitones from root |
|---|---|---|---|
| G | 1 | Root | 0 |
| A | 2 | Major 2nd | 2 |
| Bb | b3 | Minor 3rd | 3 |
| C | 4 | Perfect 4th | 5 |
| D | 5 | Perfect 5th | 7 |
| Eb | b6 | Minor 6th | 8 |
| F | b7 | Minor 7th | 10 |
Structure
G minor scale notes:
How the minor scale is built:
The minor scale is built from the degrees 1 2 b3 4 5 b6 b7, which gives the step pattern W-H-W-W-H-W-W (W = whole step, H = half step).
Counting in semitones from the root: 0, 2, 3, 5, 7, 8, 10. That makes it a 7-note scale.
It is mode 6 of the Major Scale, so both scales share the same notes from a different starting point.
It is also known as Aeolian and Natural Minor.
G Minor Scale Guitar Patterns
Static diagrams of every position shown in the player above.
On one string (G)
Box pattern — position 1
Box pattern — position 2
Box pattern — position 3
Box pattern — position 4
Box pattern — position 5
3 notes per string — position 1
3 notes per string — position 2
3 notes per string — position 3
3 notes per string — position 4
3 notes per string — position 5
Chords in the G minor scale
Stacking thirds on each degree of the scale gives these chords.
Related modes
These scales share the same notes as the minor scale, starting from a different degree.
The minor scale in other keys
Created by
Giancarlo is a musician (teaching guitar since 2000), software engineer, AI consultant and published researcher
