Tools / Chords / G suspended 2nd

G suspended 2nd chord on guitar (Gsus2)

Also written Gsus2 or G

G suspended 2nd contains G, A, and D. The open shape is a beginner-friendly grip that uses three fretted notes and three open strings.

Open · 3-0-0-0-3-33-0-0-0-3-3

Positions on the neck1 of 5

How it’s built

G1Root

A2Major 2nd

D5Perfect 5th

Formula 1, 2, 5

Positions on the neck1 of 5

Inversions

The same three notes, with a different one in the bass.

Root positionG–A–DGsus2Bass G

First inversionA–D–GGsus2/ABass A

Second inversionD–G–AGsus2/DBass D

Why it sounds like that

G suspended 2nd is built from the formula 1, 2, 5. The major second interval between G and A replaces the third, giving the chord its suspended quality. Compare this with G major, which uses B instead of A.

What goes wrong with G suspended 2nd?

Flattening the index finger so it touches the 5th string and deadens the open A.
Letting the middle finger touch the 3rd string and deaden the open G.

When to use it

G suspended 2nd works in G major progressions like G–C–D–G, the I–IV–V–I. It also fits the I–V–vi–IV in G major: G–D–E minor–C. Use it in folk, pop, and country when you want a suspended color before resolving to G major.

Changing to and from G suspended 2nd

Move to G major by lifting the index finger and placing it on the 5th string, 2nd fret.
Slide the shape down two frets to the 1st fret to reach F suspended 2nd.

Which voicing to use

The open position is the easiest and most common. The 10th fret version is a barre shape with the same voicing higher up. The Gsus2/A inversions put the second in the bass, creating a softer, less grounded sound.

How do you play a G suspended 2nd chord on guitar?

Open · 3-0-0-0-3-3

Beginner● On the diagram

G suspended 2nd is played in open position as 3 0 0 0 3 3: index finger on the low E string at fret 3, middle finger on the B string at fret 3 and ring finger on the high e string at fret 3. The A, D and G strings ring open.

Tip — The hardest part is fretting the 6th, 2nd, and 1st strings while keeping the open strings clear.

String-by-string breakdown

String	Fret	Finger	Note
6 (E)	3	1	G (1)
5 (A)	open	—	A (2)
4 (D)	open	—	D (5)
3 (G)	open	—	G (1)
2 (B)	3	2	D (5)
1 (e)	3	3	G (1)

Open · 3-0-0-2-3-3

Beginner

G suspended 2nd is played in open position as 3 0 0 2 3 3: middle finger on the low E string at fret 3, index finger on the G string at fret 2, ring finger on the B string at fret 3 and pinky finger on the high e string at fret 3. The A and D strings ring open.

String-by-string breakdown

String	Fret	Finger	Note
6 (E)	3	2	G (1)
5 (A)	open	—	A (2)
4 (D)	open	—	D (5)
3 (G)	2	1	A (2)
2 (B)	3	3	D (5)
1 (e)	3	4	G (1)

10th fret

Barre

G suspended 2nd is played at the 10th fret as × 10 12 12 10 10: barre your index finger across fret 10, ring finger on the D string at fret 12 and pinky finger on the G string at fret 12. The low E string stays muted.

String-by-string breakdown

String	Fret	Finger	Note
6 (E)	muted	—	—
5 (A)	10	1 (barre)	G (1)
4 (D)	12	3	D (5)
3 (G)	12	4	G (1)
2 (B)	10	1 (barre)	A (2)
1 (e)	10	1 (barre)	D (5)

Gsus2/A inversion · ×-0-0-0-3-3

Beginner

G suspended 2nd is played in open position as × 0 0 0 3 3: index finger on the B string at fret 3 and middle finger on the high e string at fret 3. The A, D and G strings ring open. The low E string stays muted.

String-by-string breakdown

String	Fret	Finger	Note
6 (E)	muted	—	—
5 (A)	open	—	A (2)
4 (D)	open	—	D (5)
3 (G)	open	—	G (1)
2 (B)	3	1	D (5)
1 (e)	3	2	G (1)

Gsus2/A inversion · ×-0-0-2-3-3

Beginner

G suspended 2nd is played in open position as × 0 0 2 3 3: index finger on the G string at fret 2, middle finger on the B string at fret 3 and ring finger on the high e string at fret 3. The A and D strings ring open. The low E string stays muted.

String-by-string breakdown

String	Fret	Finger	Note
6 (E)	muted	—	—
5 (A)	open	—	A (2)
4 (D)	open	—	D (5)
3 (G)	2	1	A (2)
2 (B)	3	2	D (5)
1 (e)	3	3	G (1)

Common questions

How do I write G suspended 2nd?

G suspended 2nd is written as G or Gsus2.

What is the difference between G suspended 2nd and G add 9?

G suspended 2nd omits the third entirely, leaving only G, A, and D. G add 9 includes the major third B along with the ninth A, so it sounds fuller and more resolved.

Can G suspended 2nd be used in place of G minor?

G suspended 2nd has no third, so it is neither major nor minor. It can substitute for G minor in some contexts, but it will sound more open and less dark.

String

Fret

Finger

Note

6 (E)

G (1)

5 (A)

open

—

A (2)

4 (D)

open

—

D (5)

3 (G)

open

—

G (1)

2 (B)

D (5)

1 (e)

G (1)

String

Fret

Finger

Note

6 (E)

G (1)

5 (A)

open

—

A (2)

4 (D)

open

—

D (5)

3 (G)

A (2)

2 (B)

D (5)

1 (e)

G (1)

String

Fret

Finger

Note

6 (E)

muted

—

5 (A)

1 (barre)

G (1)

4 (D)

D (5)

3 (G)

G (1)

2 (B)

1 (barre)

A (2)

1 (e)

1 (barre)

D (5)

String

Fret

Finger

Note

6 (E)

muted

—

5 (A)

open

—

A (2)

4 (D)

open

—

D (5)

3 (G)

open

—

G (1)

2 (B)

D (5)

1 (e)

G (1)

String

Fret

Finger

Note

6 (E)

muted

—

5 (A)

open

—

A (2)

4 (D)

open

—

D (5)

3 (G)

A (2)

2 (B)

D (5)

1 (e)

G (1)