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Bass chord companion

G Major Chord

Learn the G Major chord on bass with chord tones, intervals, playable arpeggios, and fretboard maps.

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1G3B5D

Bass chord tones and arpeggios

Play these tones one at a time to outline the chord. The maps show the complete formula; the numbered exercises give an ascending path, including extensions in their written octave.

Standard four-string bass: E1 – A1 – D2 – G2. String 4 is low E; string 1 is high G. Fingers 1–4 are index through little finger; 0 is open. Use comfortable hand positions and shift where indicated.

Root on E string

G Major complete chord-tone map around string 4, fret 3. Choose individual tones for a bass line.

G Major Root on E string bass chord-tone mapG Major complete chord-tone map around string 4, fret 3. Choose individual tones for a bass line.EADG2345613513

Ascending arpeggio

Follow steps 1–3 below. Keep one hand position.

G Major Root on E string numbered bass arpeggioAscending complete formula: G1, B1, D2. Play one numbered note at a time.EADG2345123
StepDegreeNoteString / fretFingerPosition
11G14 / 32Fret 2
23B13 / 21Fret 2
35D23 / 54Fret 2

Root on A string

G Major complete chord-tone map around string 3, fret 10. Choose individual tones for a bass line.

G Major Root on A string bass chord-tone mapG Major complete chord-tone map around string 3, fret 10. Choose individual tones for a bass line.EADG91011121351351

Ascending arpeggio

Follow steps 1–3 below. Keep one hand position.

G Major Root on A string numbered bass arpeggioAscending complete formula: G2, B2, D3. Play one numbered note at a time.EADG9101112123
StepDegreeNoteString / fretFingerPosition
11G23 / 102Fret 9
23B22 / 91Fret 9
35D32 / 124Fret 9

Full fretboard map

Every G Major Chord chord tone across the neck, with roots highlighted for quick orientation.

Interactive

Frets 0–24. Select a position or tap a note to hear it.

GDAEGBDGBDBDGBDGGBDGBDBDGBDG123456789101112131415161718192021222324

Progression examples using G Major

Try these progressions to hear the harmony in context. On bass, outline each chord with individual target tones.

Chord Tones

DegreeIntervalNote
1RootG
3M3B
5P5D

Complete Formula

1 – 3 – 5

Compound degrees retain their names: 9, 11, and 13 are extensions. A voicing may place their pitches in a closer register.

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