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G suspended 4th chord on guitar (Gsus4)
Also called or written Gsus4, Gsus or G Suspended
G suspended 4th is built from G, C, and D. The open shape requires a three-fret stretch and uses all six strings, making it a moderate challenge.
How it is built
Formula 1, 4, 5
- Root positionG–C–DGsus43-3-0-0-1-3
- First inversionC–D–GGsus4/C×-3-0-0-1-3
- Second inversionD–G–CGsus4/D×-×-0-0-1-3
How do you play a G suspended 4th chord on guitar?
G suspended 4th is played in open position as 3 3 0 0 1 3: middle finger on the low E string at fret 3, ring finger on the A string at fret 3, index finger on the B string at fret 1 and pinky finger on the high e string at fret 3. The D and G strings ring open.
Full note and interval breakdown
| String | Fret | Finger | Note |
|---|---|---|---|
| 6 (E) | 3 | 2 | G (1) |
| 5 (A) | 3 | 3 | C (4) |
| 4 (D) | open | — | D (5) |
| 3 (G) | open | — | G (1) |
| 2 (B) | 1 | 1 | C (4) |
| 1 (e) | 3 | 4 | G (1) |
IntermediateThe open shape demands a wide stretch between the index finger on the 1st fret and the pinky on the 3rd fret.
Open · 3-3-0-0-3-3
G suspended 4th is played in open position as 3 3 0 0 3 3: index finger on the low E string at fret 3, middle finger on the A string at fret 3, ring finger on the B string at fret 3 and pinky finger on the high e string at fret 3. The D and G strings ring open.
Full note and interval breakdown
| String | Fret | Finger | Note |
|---|---|---|---|
| 6 (E) | 3 | 1 | G (1) |
| 5 (A) | 3 | 2 | C (4) |
| 4 (D) | open | — | D (5) |
| 3 (G) | open | — | G (1) |
| 2 (B) | 3 | 3 | D (5) |
| 1 (e) | 3 | 4 | G (1) |
3rd fret · 3-3-5-5-3-3
G suspended 4th is played at the 3rd fret as 3 3 5 5 3 3: barre your index finger across fret 3, ring finger on the D string at fret 5 and pinky finger on the G string at fret 5.
Full note and interval breakdown
| String | Fret | Finger | Note |
|---|---|---|---|
| 6 (E) | 3 | 1 (barre) | G (1) |
| 5 (A) | 3 | 1 (barre) | C (4) |
| 4 (D) | 5 | 3 | G (1) |
| 3 (G) | 5 | 4 | C (4) |
| 2 (B) | 3 | 1 (barre) | D (5) |
| 1 (e) | 3 | 1 (barre) | G (1) |
3rd fret · 3-5-5-5-3-3
G suspended 4th is played at the 3rd fret as 3 5 5 5 3 3: barre your index finger across fret 3, middle finger on the A string at fret 5, ring finger on the D string at fret 5 and pinky finger on the G string at fret 5.
Full note and interval breakdown
| String | Fret | Finger | Note |
|---|---|---|---|
| 6 (E) | 3 | 1 (barre) | G (1) |
| 5 (A) | 5 | 2 | D (5) |
| 4 (D) | 5 | 3 | G (1) |
| 3 (G) | 5 | 4 | C (4) |
| 2 (B) | 3 | 1 (barre) | D (5) |
| 1 (e) | 3 | 1 (barre) | G (1) |
Gsus4/C inversion
G suspended 4th is played in open position as × 3 0 0 1 3: middle finger on the A string at fret 3, index finger on the B string at fret 1 and ring finger on the high e string at fret 3. The D and G strings ring open. The low E string stays muted.
Full note and interval breakdown
| String | Fret | Finger | Note |
|---|---|---|---|
| 6 (E) | muted | — | — |
| 5 (A) | 3 | 2 | C (4) |
| 4 (D) | open | — | D (5) |
| 3 (G) | open | — | G (1) |
| 2 (B) | 1 | 1 | C (4) |
| 1 (e) | 3 | 3 | G (1) |
Why it sounds like that
G suspended 4th uses the formula 1, 4, 5. The perfect 4th between G and C replaces the major 3rd, creating an open, suspended sound. Compare it to G major, which contains B instead of C.
What goes wrong with G suspended 4th?
- Your pinky flattens and deadens the open G string next to it.
- The B string buzzes because your index finger is too far from the fret.
- Your ring finger touches the open D string and mutes it.
When to use it
G suspended 4th substitutes for G major in the I–IV–V–I progression in G major (G–C–D–G). It suits folk, rock, and country strumming where the suspended sound adds motion.
Changing to and from G suspended 4th
- From G suspended 4th to G major, lift your index finger off the B string and place it on the 2nd fret of the B string while keeping the other fingers in place.
- Sliding the shape up two frets to the 5th fret gives A suspended 4th.
Which voicing to use
The open position is the most practical shape for beginners. The Gsus4/C inversion places C in the bass, creating a softer, less rooted sound for passing chords.
Other G chords
Common questions
How is G suspended 4th written?
G suspended 4th is written as Gsus or Gsus4. The symbol 'sus' stands for suspended, indicating the 3rd is replaced by the 4th.
What is the difference between G suspended 4th and G major?
G suspended 4th replaces the major 3rd (B) with the perfect 4th (C). This removes the major quality and creates a suspended, unresolved sound that wants to resolve down to B.
Can G suspended 4th be used in minor keys?
G suspended 4th can appear in G natural minor, where the 4th is C and the 5th is D. It works as a substitution for G minor in progressions like Gm–Cm–Dm.