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G Major Triads on Guitar — Shapes & Inversions

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The G Major triad is G–B–D — R–3–5. Below you'll find all 13 close-voiced shapes within the first 12 frets: every inversion on every string set, color-coded and verified by the engine that powers our trainer.

G
R
root
B
3
major third
D
5
perfect fifth
Root position (R in bass)1st inversion (3rd in bass)2nd inversion (5th in bass)

G Major triads — all positions

Strings 1·2·3 (e · B · G)

3 5 7 9 12 15 R 5 3 3 R 5 5 3 R

Strings 2·3·4 (B · G · D)

3 5 7 9 12 15 3 R 5 5 3 R R 5 3 3 R 5

Strings 3·4·5 (G · D · A)

3 5 7 9 12 15 R 5 3 3 R 5 5 3 R

Strings 4·5·6 (D · A · E)

3 5 7 9 12 15 5 3 R R 5 3 3 R 5

G Major triads — full position reference

G Major triads on Strings 1·2·3 (e · B · G), standard tuning
InversionPositionNotes (low to high)Intervals
1st inversionstring 3 fret 4, string 2 fret 3, string 1 fret 3B–D–G3–5–R
2nd inversionstring 3 fret 7, string 2 fret 8, string 1 fret 7D–G–B5–R–3
Root positionstring 3 fret 12, string 2 fret 12, string 1 fret 10G–B–DR–3–5
G Major triads on Strings 2·3·4 (B · G · D), standard tuning
InversionPositionNotes (low to high)Intervals
2nd inversionstring 4 open, string 3 open, string 2 openD–G–B5–R–3
Root positionstring 4 fret 5, string 3 fret 4, string 2 fret 3G–B–DR–3–5
1st inversionstring 4 fret 9, string 3 fret 7, string 2 fret 8B–D–G3–5–R
2nd inversionstring 4 fret 12, string 3 fret 12, string 2 fret 12D–G–B5–R–3
G Major triads on Strings 3·4·5 (G · D · A), standard tuning
InversionPositionNotes (low to high)Intervals
1st inversionstring 5 fret 2, string 4 open, string 3 openB–D–G3–5–R
2nd inversionstring 5 fret 5, string 4 fret 5, string 3 fret 4D–G–B5–R–3
Root positionstring 5 fret 10, string 4 fret 9, string 3 fret 7G–B–DR–3–5
G Major triads on Strings 4·5·6 (D · A · E), standard tuning
InversionPositionNotes (low to high)Intervals
Root positionstring 6 fret 3, string 5 fret 2, string 4 openG–B–DR–3–5
1st inversionstring 6 fret 7, string 5 fret 5, string 4 fret 5B–D–G3–5–R
2nd inversionstring 6 fret 10, string 5 fret 10, string 4 fret 9D–G–B5–R–3

Where Each Inversion Sits

Strings 1·2·31st inversion — fret 32nd inversion — fret 7root position — fret 10
Strings 2·3·42nd inversion — openroot position — fret 31st inversion — fret 72nd inversion — fret 12
Strings 3·4·51st inversion — open2nd inversion — fret 4root position — fret 7
Strings 4·5·6root position — open1st inversion — fret 52nd inversion — fret 9
Download PDF — G chart (all qualities)Open the full triads chart

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How to Practice G Major Triads

Play the shapes on one string set from the nut up: 1st inversion at fret 3 first, then the next inversion, then the next — say the inversion out loud as you land on it. Then lock one fret region and switch between string sets instead. When the shapes come without thinking, test yourself in the trainer: it will flash G Major voicings for you to name, or name them for you to find.

Frequently Asked Questions

What notes are in the G Major triad?

G (root), B (major third), D (perfect fifth).

How many G Major triad shapes are there on guitar?

Within the first 12 frets there are 13 close-voiced shapes: root position, 1st and 2nd inversions spread across the four three-string sets. Above the 12th fret the same shapes repeat an octave higher.

What is an easy G Major triad shape to start with?

Start on strings 1·2·3 with the lowest shape on the neck (1st inversion at fret 3) — three notes, no barre, and the same grip moves to every other key.

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