Gsus Guitar Chord:
How to Finger It
Gsus is a G chord with its third swapped for a fourth. Below you will find the standard open shape, the notes inside it, and a string-by-string check so you can confirm each note rings before you strum.
What Gsus Means and Which Notes It Contains
Gsus and Gsus4 are the same chord. The "sus" stands for suspended: the third of the chord is replaced by the fourth, so the chord sounds open and unresolved. Gsus4 is built from the notes G, C and D.
Gsus2 is a different chord. It replaces the third with the second, giving the notes G, A and D. Gsus and Gsus2 share the root G and the fifth D, but the middle note changes.
| Chord name | Notes | Difference from G major |
|---|---|---|
| G major | G, B, D | Reference chord with a major third (B) |
| Gsus (Gsus4) | G, C, D | Third (B) replaced by fourth (C) |
| Gsus2 | G, A, D | Third (B) replaced by second (A) |
The Open Gsus Shape, String by String
This is the open version of Gsus. Fret the low E string at fret 3, the B string at fret 1, and the high E string at fret 3. Leave the D and G strings open, and keep the A string silent.
Finger Key
- 1 Index
- 2 Middle
- 3 Ring
- 4 Pinky
Gsus open shape. Numbers show the finger used on each fret.
Set the Fingers in Four Steps
Place your index finger on the B string at fret 1.
Place your ring finger on the low E string at fret 3.
Place your pinky on the high E string at fret 3. Press firmly, just behind the fret wire.
Strum once and check each string against the table in the next section before you move on.
Set the shape on a table first, then lift it onto the neck. Press with the fingertips and keep the wrist relaxed.
Hear the Gsus Chord
Press Play to hear the five notes of this shape: G, D, G, C and G, strummed from low to high. Use it to compare your strum with the reference sound. The audio is a synthesized strum generated in your browser, not a recording.
Check Each String Before You Strum
| String | Fret or state | Finger | Note |
|---|---|---|---|
| Low E | Fret 3 | Ring | G |
| A | Muted, do not play | None | Silent |
| D | Open | None | D |
| G | Open | None | G |
| B | Fret 1 | Index | C |
| High E | Fret 3 | Pinky | G |
Standard tuning (EADGBE). Notes are for the shape above.
If a string buzzes or sounds dead, lift the finger, reset it just behind the fret, and strum again. If the A string rings, lightly touch it with the tip of a finger that is not fretting a note.
Common Questions About the Gsus Chord
Is Gsus the same as Gsus4?
Yes. Gsus and Gsus4 are the same chord, built from G, C and D.
What is the difference between Gsus and Gsus2?
Gsus uses the fourth (C) in the middle and Gsus2 uses the second (A). The root G and the fifth D stay the same in both.
Why does the A string need to stay silent?
The A string is part of the shape's fingering, but it is not one of the chord's notes. In this open shape, its note B would make the chord major. Keeping it silent keeps the chord a Gsus.
Why does one string buzz when I play Gsus?
Usually the finger is too far from the fret or not pressed firmly enough. Place the fingertip just behind the fret wire and press each string on its own before strumming.
How do I find other Gsus shapes on the neck?
Type the notes G, C and D into the Chord Namer to confirm the chord name, then use the Fretboard Note Finder to locate those notes on other strings and frets.
Name the Chord You Are Holding
Once you can set the Gsus shape and check each string, try the Chord Namer on the chords you already know. It shows the name for the notes you enter.