Gsus4 Guitar Chord

Gsus4 is the G suspended fourth chord. It has three notes: G, C and D. The open shape keeps the G chord's frame, with 3rd fret notes on both E strings, and places the suspended C twice: on the A string at the 3rd fret and on the B string at the 1st. All six strings are strummed.

A cousin of the four finger G: the outside strings keep their 3rd fret notes while the inner fingers bring in the suspended C, twice.

How to play Gsus4, step by step

Index finger: 1st fret, B string
Middle finger: 3rd fret, low E string
Ring finger: 3rd fret, A string
Pinky finger: 3rd fret, high E string
Strum all six strings.

Practice landing on it from G and falling back again. The outside strings keep their 3rd fret notes in both chords, so only the middle of the shape changes.

More ways to play Gsus4

There are 4 common Gsus4 shapes in total: the standard one at the top of the page, plus these, easiest first. You only ever need one. Tap any card to hear it.

Gsus4 guitar chord diagram, barre at fret 3, played 355533 — Barre at fret 3

Gsus4 guitar chord diagram, compact, frets 5 to 8, played xx5788 — Compact, frets 5 to 8

Gsus4 guitar chord diagram, barre at fret 10, played x 10 12 12 13 10 — Barre at fret 10

If it will not ring cleanly

Open D or G string is muted: The ring finger at the 3rd fret of the A string arches over both. Curl it more so the two open strings in the middle can sound.
B string buzzes: The index sits alone at the 1st fret while everything else is at the 3rd. Keep it close behind its fret and press with the tip, not the pad.
A string sounds dead: The middle finger on the low E can lean into the A string. Stand it up straighter so the ring finger's note comes through.

What makes it a Gsus4

G · C · D 1 4 5

Sus4 chords trade their third for the fourth. Gsus4 keeps G and D, the root and fifth, and plays C where the third, B, belongs. No third means no major or minor color, only suspense: the C leans down a half step toward B and the chord wants to land on G. In practice you meet Gsus4 in the keys of G, C and D, held for a beat or two before releasing.

Gsus4 vs Gsus2

Gsus4 replaces the third of G with C, a half step above it; Gsus2 replaces it with A, a whole step below. The sus4 version sounds tense and forward leaning, the sus2 version soft and open. Both live near the open G shape, but the sus4 is the one you will actually see in charts: when a song writes Gsus with no number, it means Gsus4.

Gsus4 chord questions

Is Gsus4 hard to play?

It is a small step up from open G because the index has to fret the B string at the 1st fret while three fingers sit at the 3rd. It usually clicks after a few sessions.

What songs use Gsus4?

Pinball Wizard by The Who runs a chain of sus4 chords in its strummed intro, Gsus4 to G among them.

What is the difference between Gsus4 and Gsus2?

Gsus4 uses C, one half step above the third of G; Gsus2 uses A, one whole step below it. Sus4 pulls toward G, sus2 just floats.

Does Gsus4 always resolve to G?

Usually. The suspended C wants to fall to B, the third of G. But you can also treat it as a color chord and leave it hanging; its three notes clash with nothing in the keys of G or C.

Do you strum all six strings in Gsus4?

Yes. In the open shape every string is either fretted or ringing open as part of the chord.