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G 7th suspended 4th chord on bass (G7sus4)
Also called or written G7sus4, G or G Dominant 7th Suspended 4th
G 7th suspended 4th contains G, C, D, and F. The 3rd-fret shape demands a wide stretch, and the 10th-fret inversion requires a full barre.
How it is built
Formula 1, 4, 5, ♭7
- Root positionG–C–D–FG7sus43-5-3-5
- First inversionC–D–F–GG7sus4/Cno shape on this instrument
- Second inversionD–F–G–CG7sus4/D10-10-10-10
- Third inversionF–G–C–DG7sus4/F1-3-0-0
How do you play a G 7th suspended 4th chord on bass?
G 7th suspended 4th is played at the 3rd fret as 3 5 3 5: index finger on the E string at fret 3, ring finger on the A string at fret 5, middle finger on the D string at fret 3 and pinky finger on the G string at fret 5.
Full note and interval breakdown
| String | Fret | Finger | Note |
|---|---|---|---|
| 4 (E) | 3 | 1 | G (1) |
| 3 (A) | 5 | 3 | D (5) |
| 2 (D) | 3 | 2 | F (♭7) |
| 1 (G) | 5 | 4 | C (4) |
AdvancedThe 10th-fret inversion requires barring all four strings cleanly while keeping the bass note D clear.
G7sus4/D inversion
G 7th suspended 4th is played at the 10th fret as 10 10 10 10: barre your index finger across fret 10.
Full note and interval breakdown
| String | Fret | Finger | Note |
|---|---|---|---|
| 4 (E) | 10 | 1 (barre) | D (5) |
| 3 (A) | 10 | 1 (barre) | G (1) |
| 2 (D) | 10 | 1 (barre) | C (4) |
| 1 (G) | 10 | 1 (barre) | F (♭7) |
G7sus4/F inversion
G 7th suspended 4th is played in open position as 1 3 0 0: index finger on the E string at fret 1 and middle finger on the A string at fret 3. The D and G strings ring open.
Full note and interval breakdown
| String | Fret | Finger | Note |
|---|---|---|---|
| 4 (E) | 1 | 1 | F (♭7) |
| 3 (A) | 3 | 2 | C (4) |
| 2 (D) | open | — | D (5) |
| 1 (G) | open | — | G (1) |
Why it sounds like that
G 7th suspended 4th is built from the formula 1, 4, 5, ♭7. The perfect 4th between G and C creates the suspended sound, while the minor 7th F adds tension. Compare it to G suspended 4th, which omits the minor 7th.
What goes wrong with G 7th suspended 4th?
- Letting the ring finger lean on the D string, which mutes the 3rd-fret note.
- Pressing the barre unevenly in the inversion, causing the outer strings to buzz.
When to use it
G 7th suspended 4th functions as the V chord in C major, heard in the I–IV–V–I progression C major–F major–G major–C major. It fits blues and rock bass lines that need a suspended dominant. Compare it to G minor to hear the difference between a suspended dominant and a minor chord.
Changing to and from G 7th suspended 4th
- Sliding the shape down two frets to the 1st fret gives F 7th suspended 4th.
- Sliding the shape up one fret to the 4th fret gives A♭ 7th suspended 4th.
Which voicing to use
The 3rd-fret shape keeps G in the bass for a strong root position. The G7sus4/D inversion at the 10th fret puts D in the bass, which gives a softer, less grounded feel. The G7sus4/F inversion at the 1st fret puts F in the bass, which creates a more dissonant, leading tone.
Other G chords
Common questions
How does G 7th suspended 4th differ from G suspended 4th?
G 7th suspended 4th adds the minor 7th F to the G, C, and D of G suspended 4th. That extra note creates a dominant pull toward C major.
Can G 7th suspended 4th be played with open strings?
Yes, the G7sus4/F inversion uses open D and G strings. It is easier to play but places F in the bass instead of G.
What mistake do bassists make with this chord?
They often let the ring finger collapse onto the D string, muting the 3rd-fret note. Keep that finger arched to let every string ring.