CifraLab

Gsus4 Guitar Chord

Gsus4 guitar chord: see the fingering, compare positions, and hear it before you play.

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Shape 1/3
Chord shapes:(3 positions)
Gsus4Guitar fingering diagram for Gsus412342314STRING6ªG5ªC4ªD3ªG2ªC1ªG
View HD sheet

What sets Gsus4 apart

The notes of Gsus4 are G, C and D. G is the root, C the fourth and D the fifth.

String by string, low to high, it plays G, C, D, G, C and G. G rings three times across the six strings, and it is the root. The lowest and highest notes are both G, two octaves apart, on strings 6 and 1.

The open strings add notes to Gsus4 too. String 4 gives D and string 3 gives G. Your hand covers three frets, from 1 to 3. This page has three positions. The others start at frets 3 and 10.

Change only string 1 in Gsus4 and you have G7sus4. Gsus4 and C have G and C in common. Moving to C, you keep two fingers down.

You will find Gsus4 in ten different keys. In G major it is the Isus4, in C major the Vsus4 and in Bb major the VIsus4. The rest appear in the key list.

Chord Progressions

Explore recommended harmonic circles on CifraLab:

01G G - Em - Am - D702Bm Bm - G - Em - F#7
Music Theory & Formula

Component notes and harmonic structure (Gsus4)

Formula: Suspended Fourth (1 - 4 - 5)
Constituent chord intervals:

G 1C 4D 5

Root Bass (Fundamental String)6th String (Low E) • Fret 3 (G)

String Control (Muted & Active)6 / 6 • Active and muted strings status indicator

3 Fretboard Positions

Other fretboard positions for Gsus4:

01

Standard

Standard Position
6 / 6 stringsRoot: 6th String (Low E)
String Control (Muted & Active):
Root
6th String (Low E)
Fret 3Finger 2
GDegree 1
5th String (A)
Fret 3Finger 3
CDegree 4
4th String (D)
○Open
DDegree 5
3rd String (G)
○Open
GDegree 1
2nd String (B)
Fret 1Finger 1
CDegree 4
1st String (High E)
Fret 3Finger 4
GDegree 1

Placement tip: Press: 6th String (Low E) at fret 3 with your Middle finger, 5th String (A) at fret 3 with your Ring finger, 2nd String (B) at fret 1 with your Index finger, 1st String (High E) at fret 3 with your Pinky finger. Play open: 4th String (D), 3rd String (G).

02

Barre 3

Barre fret 3
6 / 6 stringsRoot: 6th String (Low E)
String Control (Muted & Active):
Root
6th String (Low E)
Fret 3Barre
GDegree 1
5th String (A)
Fret 5
DDegree 5
4th String (D)
Fret 5
GDegree 1
3rd String (G)
Fret 5
CDegree 4
2nd String (B)
Fret 3Barre
DDegree 5
1st String (High E)
Fret 3Barre
GDegree 1

Placement tip: Barre fret 3. Press: 5th String (A) at fret 5, 4th String (D) at fret 5, 3rd String (G) at fret 5.

03

Barre 10

Barre fret 10
5 / 6 stringsRoot: 5th String (A)
String Control (Muted & Active):
6th String (Low E)
×Muted
Do not play
Root
5th String (A)
Fret 10Barre
GDegree 1
4th String (D)
Fret 12Finger 2
DDegree 5
3rd String (G)
Fret 12Finger 3
GDegree 1
2nd String (B)
Fret 13Finger 4
CDegree 4
1st String (High E)
Fret 10Barre
DDegree 5

Placement tip: Barre fret 10. Press: 4th String (D) at fret 12 with your Middle finger, 3rd String (G) at fret 12 with your Ring finger, 2nd String (B) at fret 13 with your Pinky finger. Don't play: 6th String (Low E).

Biomechanics & Posture

Ergonomic tips to play without tension or fatigue (Gsus4)

Standard Position

The shape in numbers

ItemIn this chord
Frets1 to 3
Fretting fingers4
Open4th and 3rd
Mutednone

What to check

The open 4th and 3rd strings sit next to a fretting finger.

What every chord shares is in the fingering reading.

Transitions & Pivot Fingers

Most common chord transitions from Gsus4

Listen: Gsus4 → C · G · Am

  1. Gsus4
  2. C
  3. Gsus4
  4. G
  5. Gsus4
  6. Am
Gsus4 → C01
Pivot / Anchor Finger:2 fingers stay
Stay in place
  • finger 3: string 5, fret 3
  • finger 1: string 2, fret 1
Move
  • finger 2: string 4, fret 2
Gsus4 → G02
Pivot / Anchor Finger:1 finger stays
Stay in place
  • finger 2: string 6, fret 3
Move
  • finger 1: string 5, fret 2
  • finger 3: string 1, fret 3
Gsus4 → Am03
Pivot / Anchor Finger:1 finger stays
Stay in place
  • finger 1: string 2, fret 1
Move
  • finger 2: string 4, fret 2
  • finger 3: string 3, fret 2

Gsus4 in every key

Gsus4 sits in the scale of 10 keys.

Main shape at a glance

Difficulty
2/5
Highest fret
3
Frets the hand covers
3
Barre
No
Strings that ring
6/6
Fretting fingers
4

Gsus4 on other instruments

PianoThe same notes on the keyboard.All togetherHear guitar, piano, bass and violin together.
Frequently asked questions

Frequently asked questions about the chord (Gsus4)

The questions that come up most when playing this chord

Which strings are played and which are muted in the Gsus4 chord?

To play the Gsus4 chord on guitar, all 6 strings are played from the 6th string (Low E) to the 1st string (High E). Arch your finger joints perpendicular to the fretboard so adjacent strings ring clearly.

What is the root bass note of the Gsus4 chord and on which string is it located?

The primary bass note of the Gsus4 chord is its root note: G. In standard guitar tuning (EADGBe), this bass note is located on string 6 at fret 3.

When strumming or fingerpicking, strike this string first.

What notes make up the Gsus4 chord and what is its formula?

The Gsus4 chord is constructed using the 1 - 4 - 5 formula (Suspended Fourth). Its constituent pitches are G, C, D.

How do you prevent the Gsus4 chord from buzzing or sounding muted?

To prevent the Gsus4 chord from buzzing or sounding muted, press the strings using the tips of your fingers at a strict 90-degree hammer angle. Position each finger immediately behind the fret wire with your thumb centered behind the neck.

Study sheet · High resolution

Official Gsus4 chord diagram

Gsus4 guitar chord diagram with fingering for fingers 1 to 4
Download HD sheet

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Other chords in the G family:

Chord G Chord Gm Chord G#m Chord G7 Chord Gmaj7 Chord Gm7 Chord Gadd9 Chord G13