Gm7 Chord (G minor 7th) on Guitar
Gm7 (G minor 7th) is made of the notes G – Bb – D – F. The easiest guitar fingering is 310031 (low E to high e; x = muted, 0 = open). It needs 4 fingers and no barre.
Easiest shape
Alternative shape
Higher position
How to play Gm7
- Press the 6th string (low E) at fret 3 (G).
- Press the 5th string (A) at fret 1 (Bb).
- Play the 4th string (D) open (D).
- Play the 3rd string (G) open (G).
- Press the 2nd string (B) at fret 3 (D).
- Press the 1st string (high e) at fret 1 (F).
| String | Fret | Note | Role |
|---|---|---|---|
| 6th string (low E) | 3 | G | R |
| 5th string (A) | 1 | Bb | b3 |
| 4th string (D) | 0 (open) | D | 5 |
| 3rd string (G) | 0 (open) | G | R |
| 2nd string (B) | 3 | D | 5 |
| 1st string (high e) | 1 | F | b7 |
What is a G minor 7th chord?
A minor 7th chord is a minor triad with a minor seventh added on top.
Notes and formula. Gm7 contains G, Bb, D, F. Counted from the root G, that is R (root), b3 (minor 3rd), 5 (perfect 5th), b7 (minor 7th).
Sound. Mellow, warm and relaxed. It is minor without the sadness of a plain minor triad.
Where it is used. Everywhere in funk, soul, R&B, jazz and lo-fi. It is the ii chord in jazz ii-V-I progressions and a common substitute for the plain minor chord.
Tips for playing Gm7
Many minor 7th shapes are easier than the minor chord itself because they lift a finger. Try swapping Am for Am7 in a song you know.
Common mistake: Treating m7 and maj7 as the same. The "m" means the third is minor; the 7 means the seventh is a minor seventh.
Keys that contain Gm7
Gm7 is a diatonic chord, meaning it occurs naturally without accidentals, in these keys:
- Eb major – iii chord
- F major – ii chord
- Bb major – vi chord
- C minor – v chord
- D minor – iv chord
- G minor – i chord
Try it in a progression: browse chord progressions for every key.
Scales to play over Gm7
Related chords
Gm7 chord FAQ
What notes are in a Gm7 chord?
Gm7 (G minor 7th) contains the notes G, Bb, D, F. The formula is R–b3–5–b7 relative to the root G.
How do you play Gm7 on guitar?
The most common shape for Gm7 is 310031, read from the low E string to the high e string (x = muted, 0 = open, numbers = frets). It needs 4 fingers and no barre.
Is Gm7 an easy guitar chord?
It is rated intermediate. It needs 4 fingers and no barre.
Which keys contain Gm7?
Gm7 is a diatonic chord in Eb major (iii), F major (ii), Bb major (vi), C minor (v), D minor (iv), G minor (i).
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