Tools / Chords / G 7th suspended 4th

G 7th suspended 4th chord on ukulele (G7sus4)

Also written G7sus4, G or G Dominant 7th Suspended 4th

G 7th suspended 4th contains G, C, D, and F. The open position uses two open strings, making it one of the easier voicings for this chord.

G7sus4/D inversion0-2-1-3

Positions on the neck1 of 4

How it’s built

G1Root

C4Perfect 4th

D5Perfect 5th

F♭7Minor 7th

Formula 1, 4, 5, ♭7

Positions on the neck1 of 4

Inversions

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

Root positionG–C–D–FG7sus4Bass G

First inversionC–D–F–GG7sus4/CBass C

Second inversionD–F–G–CG7sus4/DBass D

Third inversionF–G–C–DG7sus4/FBass F

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 replaces the major 3rd, suspending the chord. Compare it to G suspended 4th, which omits the minor 7th F.

What goes wrong with G 7th suspended 4th?

The 2nd string buzzes because the index finger is not close enough to the fret.
The 1st string is muted by the ring finger collapsing onto it.
The 3rd string sounds dull because the middle finger is not pressing firmly.

When to use it

G 7th suspended 4th works as the V chord in C major progressions like C–F–G–C, the I–IV–V–I. It suits folk, rock, and blues feels. Compare it to G minor to hear the difference in color.

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 down one fret to the 2nd fret gives F♯ 7th suspended 4th.

Which voicing to use

The open position places the root G in the bass, giving a bright, open sound. The F inversion, with the 7th in the bass, is darker and less stable. Choose the open position for a fuller voicing.

How do you play a G 7th suspended 4th chord on ukulele?

G7sus4/D inversion

Beginner● On the diagram

G 7th suspended 4th is played in open position as 0 2 1 3: middle finger on the C string at fret 2, index finger on the E string at fret 1 and ring finger on the A string at fret 3. The G string rings open.

Tip — The ring finger must fret the 1st string at fret 3 while the index holds the 2nd string at fret 1, requiring precise placement.

String-by-string breakdown

String	Fret	Finger	Note
4 (G)	open	—	G (1)
3 (C)	2	2	D (5)
2 (E)	1	1	F (♭7)
1 (A)	3	3	C (4)

G7sus4/F inversion

Intermediate

G 7th suspended 4th is played at the 3rd fret as 5 5 3 5: middle finger on the G string at fret 5, ring finger on the C string at fret 5, index finger on the E string at fret 3 and pinky finger on the A string at fret 5.

String-by-string breakdown

String	Fret	Finger	Note
4 (G)	5	2	C (4)
3 (C)	5	3	F (♭7)
2 (E)	3	1	G (1)
1 (A)	5	4	D (5)

7th fret

Intermediate

G 7th suspended 4th is played at the 7th fret as 7 7 8 8: index finger on the G string at fret 7, middle finger on the C string at fret 7, ring finger on the E string at fret 8 and pinky finger on the A string at fret 8.

String-by-string breakdown

String	Fret	Finger	Note
4 (G)	7	1	D (5)
3 (C)	7	2	G (1)
2 (E)	8	3	C (4)
1 (A)	8	4	F (♭7)

G7sus4/C inversion

Intermediate

G 7th suspended 4th is played at the 10th fret as 10 12 10 10: index finger on the G string at fret 10, pinky finger on the C string at fret 12, middle finger on the E string at fret 10 and ring finger on the A string at fret 10.

String-by-string breakdown

String	Fret	Finger	Note
4 (G)	10	1	F (♭7)
3 (C)	12	4	C (4)
2 (E)	10	2	D (5)
1 (A)	10	3	G (1)

Common questions

How is G 7th suspended 4th written?

G 7th suspended 4th is written G7sus4 or G. The symbol G7sus4 is the most common.

What is the difference between G7sus4 and G7?

G7sus4 replaces the major 3rd B with the perfect 4th C. This removes the leading tone and creates a suspended, unresolved sound.

Can G7sus4 be used in place of G7?

Yes, G7sus4 often substitutes for G7 in dominant contexts. The suspension delays the resolution to the tonic chord.

String

Fret

Finger

Note

4 (G)

open

—

G (1)

3 (C)

D (5)

2 (E)

F (♭7)

1 (A)

C (4)

String

Fret

Finger

Note

4 (G)

C (4)

3 (C)

F (♭7)

2 (E)

G (1)

1 (A)

D (5)

String

Fret

Finger

Note

4 (G)

D (5)

3 (C)

G (1)

2 (E)

C (4)

1 (A)

F (♭7)

String

Fret

Finger

Note

4 (G)

F (♭7)

3 (C)

C (4)

2 (E)

D (5)

1 (A)

G (1)