Gm7 Chord

This page dives into the Gm7 minor seventh chord for guitar - voicings, compatible scales and modes, plus where it adds that smooth, jazzy melancholy in iconic songs. Gm7 (G • Bb • D • F) brings a mellow, soulful tension perfect for minor grooves and ii-V-i progressions.

Chord Voicings & Tablature

Common ways to play Gm7

Classic Barre (353333)

Open Partial (3x333x)

Easy High (xx5333)

Jazzy Rootless (xx3333)

Scales & Modes That Fit Perfectly

Gm7 is a minor-family chord, so Dorian and Aeolian modes feel right at home. Here are essentials with easy open-position ascending tabs.

Major Family Modes

• C Dorian: C D Eb F G A Bb C (the classic minor seventh sound)
  

  e|---------------------6-8-|
  B|-----------------6-8-----|
  G|-------------5-7---------|
  D|---------5-7-------------|
  A|---5-7-8-----------------|
  E|-8-----------------------|

Minor Family Modes

• G Aeolian (Natural Minor): G A Bb C D Eb F G
  

  e|---------------------------1-3-|
  B|-----------------------1-3-----|
  G|-----------------0-2-3---------|
  D|-----------0-2-3---------------|
  A|-----0-2-3---------------------|
  E|-3-5---------------------------|

• D Phrygian: D Eb F G A Bb C D
  

  e|-------------------------------------------10-|
  B|-------------------------------------11-13----|
  G|----------------------------10-12-14----------|
  D|-------------------11-12-13-------------------|
  A|----------10-12-13----------------------------|
  E|-10-11-13-------------------------------------|

Blues & Pentatonics

• G Minor Pentatonic: G Bb C D F (go-to for blues/rock over Gm7)
  

  e|---------------------3-6-|
  B|-----------------3-6-----|
  G|-------------3-5---------|
  D|---------3-5-------------|
  A|-----3-5-----------------|
  E|-3-6---------------------|

• G Minor Blues: G Bb C Db D F G
  

  e|-------------------------3-|
  B|---------------------3-6---|
  G|---------------3-5-6-------|
  D|-----------3-5-------------|
  A|-----3-4-5-----------------|
  E|-3-6-----------------------|

• G Dorian Pentatonic (adds the major 6th): G A Bb D E
  

  e|---------------------3-|
  B|-----------------3-5---|
  G|-----------0-2-3-------|
  D|-------0-2-------------|
  A|---0-1-----------------|
  E|-3---------------------|

Gm7 in Legendary Songs

The mellow, jazzy vibe of Gm7 appears in funk, soul, jazz, and rock:

• "Breezeblocks" by alt-J – Gm7 drives the moody verse progression.
• "The Chain" by Fleetwood Mac – Gm7 adds tension in the build-up.
• "Oye Como Va" by Santana – Classic Latin rock with Gm7 in the groove.
• "Europa (Earth's Cry Heaven's Smile)" by Santana – Beautiful Gm7 arpeggios in the intro.
• "Tears in Heaven" by Eric Clapton – Heartfelt use of Gm7 in the acoustic ballad.
• "Still Got the Blues" by Gary Moore – Bluesy Gm7 in the emotional solos.