Q&A for How to Play the G Major Chord on Guitar

Try exploring different ways to play a G chord. There are multiple ways to play certain chords, but in the beginning, you should learn the basic G chord, which is more of an open G. From there you can add in different variations of playing G chord or just play around with basic G.

Once you're good at pressing the right chords, you'll automatically press lightly when needed. It comes naturally with practice.

There exists two variants to the G chord: the simplified version and closed-chord version. For the simplified variant, allow your finger to rest on the "A" string, thus deafening it. Place your other finger onto the high "E" string. For the closed-chord variant, barre the third fret with your index finger. Then, place your middle finger onto the fourth fret of the "G" string, ring finger onto the fifth fret of the "D" string, and little finger onto the fifth fret of the "A" string. This creates a E chord underneath your barre.

Just keep trying. It takes some people longer than others. This is one of the more difficult chords because you're probably not used to stretching your fingers in this way. Don't give up!

Playing chords is simply making shapes with your hands, so stretching your fingers and practicing chords are easy ways to exercise your fingers.

Your fingers will eventually stretch that much if you keep practicing, even if it feels impossible now. You can also try the alternative fingerings in method 2.