Gsus4 Ukulele Chord

Gsus4 is the G suspended fourth chord. It has three notes: G, C and D. The shape is the open G chord with its top note pushed up one fret: the B on the A string becomes a C, and that single change is the suspension.

The open G shape with the ring finger one fret higher on the A string, turning B into C. The G string stays open.

How to play Gsus4 on ukulele, step by step

Index finger: 2nd fret, C string
Middle finger: 3rd fret, E string
Ring finger: 3rd fret, A string
Leave the G string open. Strum all four strings.

Learn it side by side with G. In real songs Gsus4 almost never stands alone: you strum G, raise the A string note for a beat, then let it fall back.

More ways to play Gsus4

There are 3 common Gsus4 shapes: the standard one at the top of the page, plus these further up the neck. You only ever need one. Tap any card to hear it.

Gsus4 ukulele chord diagram, frets 3 to 5, played 0035 — Frets 3 to 5

Gsus4 ukulele chord diagram, frets 5 to 8, played 0085 — Frets 5 to 8

If it sounds wrong

The 3rd fret notes choke each other: Middle and ring sit at the 3rd fret on neighbouring strings. Keep both curled so each one touches only its own string.
It sounds like plain G: Then the A string is still at the 2nd fret. The C at the 3rd fret is the note that makes it a sus4.
The open G string does not ring: The index on the C string is probably brushing it. Bring the knuckles round so the open string has a clear lane.

What makes it a Gsus4

G · C · D 1 4 5

Sus4 means the third is suspended: replaced by the fourth. Gsus4 keeps the root and fifth of G (G and D) but plays C where the third, B, would be. The C hangs one half step above B and wants to fall back onto it, which is why Gsus4 nearly always resolves straight to G.

Expect it in the keys of G, C and D, wherever a G chord sits long enough to need decorating. Because the change from G is one finger moving one fret, it is one of the first sus chords ukulele players find by accident.

Gsus4 vs Gsus2

The two suspensions replace the third of G in opposite directions. Gsus4 pushes it up to C and creates tension that leans back home. Gsus2 drops it to A and sounds hollow and floating instead.

On the ukulele both sit close to the open G triangle, so cycling G, Gsus4, G, Gsus2 is an easy way to decorate a long G bar. Sus4 gives pull, sus2 gives air.

Gsus4 chord questions

Is Gsus4 a beginner chord?

Yes. It is the open G shape with the A string note moved from the 2nd fret to the 3rd. If G is comfortable, this takes minutes.

What does Gsus4 resolve to?

G major, almost always. The C falls one half step onto B, the third of G, and the tension releases.

Is Gsus4 major or minor?

Neither. The third has been replaced by the fourth, so the chord refuses to commit until it resolves.

Do you strum all four strings?

Yes. All three shapes on this page use all four strings, with the high G string open in every one.

Are Gsus4 and Gsus the same chord?

Yes. Plain Gsus on a chart means Gsus4.