How to play the G major triad on bass
The G major triad has 3 notes: G, B and D. Root, major 3rd and perfect 5th. Most bass lines are built on these three notes.
Interval steps: M3 m3 P4. Formula: 1 3 5.
The root, G, is on the 3rd fret of the E string and the 10th fret of the A string. On a five-string bass it is also on the 8th fret of the low B string.
G Major Triad tab: root on the E string
Start on the 3rd fret of the E string with your second finger. The shape covers frets 2 to 5 without moving your hand.
G|---------| D|-------5-| A|---2-5---| E|-3-------|
Notes: G B D G
Fingers: 2 1 4 4
G Major Triad tab: root on the A string
Start on the 10th fret of the A string with your second finger. The shape covers frets 9 to 12 without moving your hand.
G|---------12-| D|----9-12----| A|-10---------| E|------------|
Notes: G B D G
Fingers: 2 1 4 4
Two octaves from the E string
Start on the 3rd fret of the E string with your second finger. The shape covers frets 2 to 12 with 1 position shift.
G|--------------12-| D|-------5-9-12----| A|---2-5-----------| E|-3---------------|
Notes: G B D G B D G
Fingers: 2 1 4 4 1 4 4
On a 5-string bass: root on the B string
Start on the 8th fret of the B string with your second finger. The shape covers frets 7 to 10 without moving your hand.
G|-----------| D|-----------| A|--------10-| E|---7-10----| B|-8---------|
Notes: G B D G
Fingers: 2 1 4 4
Notes and intervals
| Degree | Note | Interval | Frets above the root |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | G | Root | 0 |
| 3 | B | Major 3rd | 4 |
| 5 | D | Perfect 5th | 7 |
When to use it
Any major chord. Play the root on beat 1, then use the 3rd and 5th to walk toward the next chord.
How to practise it
Start with the metronome at 60 BPM in 8th notes, ascending and descending, until you can play it without looking. Raise the tempo 5 BPM at a time with the speed builder, then switch on memory mode so the tab hides after the first loop. Earn bronze for playing it through, silver at 4 notes a second, and gold at that speed from memory.
The major triad in every key
Printable chart of all 12 keys: PDF · print page · every pattern in one PDF