Gsus4 Chord

This page dives into the Gsus4 chord for guitar - voicings, compatible scales and modes, plus where it shines in iconic songs. Gsus4 (G • C • D) creates that classic suspended tension, yearning to resolve (often to G major), and adds beautiful ambiguity.

Chord Voicings & Tablature

Common ways to play Gsus4

Open Position (335533)

e|---3---| B|---3---| G|---5---| D|---5---| A|---3---| E|---3---|

Simpler Open (330013)

e|---3---| B|---1---| G|---0---| D|---0---| A|---x---| E|---3---|

Easy Two-Finger (xx5533)

e|---3---| B|---3---| G|---5---| D|---5---| A|---x---| E|---x---|

Drop D Power

D|---0---| A|---3---| D|---5---|

(Drone the low D strings open with middle finger on 5th fret G and B for classic sus4 sound)

Scales & Modes That Fit Perfectly

Gsus4 contains G, C, and D - no third - so it works in major and minor keys. Here are essential scales with easy open-position ascending tabs.

Major Family Modes

G Ionian (Major): G A B C D E F# G

e|-----------------------3-5-|
B|-------------------3-5-----|
G|---------------2-4---------|
D|-----------2-4-------------|
A|-----2-3-5-----------------|
E|-3-5-----------------------|

C Lydian: C D E F# G A B C

e|--------------------------8-10-|
B|---------------------8-10------|
G|-----------------6-9-----------|
D|-------------7-9---------------|
A|------7-8-10-------------------|
E|-8-10--------------------------|

D Mixolydian: D E F# G A B C D

e|----------------------------------10-12-|
B|----------------------------10-12-------|
G|-----------------------9-11-------------|
D|---------------9-11-12------------------|
A|-------9-10-12--------------------------|
E|-10-12----------------------------------|

Minor Family Modes

A Dorian: A B C D E F# G A

e|-----------------------3-5-|
B|-------------------3-5-----|
G|---------------2-4---------|
D|-----------2-4-------------|
A|-----2-4-5-----------------|
E|-5-7-----------------------|

E Aeolian (Natural Minor): E F# G A B C D E

e|--------------------------7-8-10--|
B|-------------------7-8-10---------|
G|---------------7-9----------------|
D|--------7-9-10--------------------|
A|-7-9-10---------------------------|
E|----------------------------------|

B Phrygian: B C D E F# G A B

e|-----------------------2-3-5-|
B|-----------------1-3-5-------|
G|-------------2-4-------------|
D|-------2-4-5-----------------|
A|-2-3-5-----------------------|
E|-----------------------------|

Pentatonics

G Major Pentatonic: G A B D E

e|-------------------0-3-|
B|---------------0-3-----|
G|-----------0-2---------|
D|-------0-2-------------|
A|---0-2-----------------|
E|-3---------------------|

E Minor Pentatonic (relative): E G A B D

e|---------------------0-|
B|-----------------0-3---|
G|-------------0-2-------|
D|---------0-2-----------|
A|-----0-2---------------|
E|-0-3-------------------|

Gsus4 in Legendary Songs

The classic suspended tension of Gsus4 → G resolution is everywhere in rock and pop:

"Pinball Wizard" by The Who – Iconic opening riff alternates G and Gsus4.
"Stairway to Heaven" by Led Zeppelin – Uses Gsus4 in the intro progression.
"Patience" by Guns N' Roses – Whistle intro and verses built on Gsus4 shapes.
"Disarm" by The Smashing Pumpkins – Heavy use of suspended chords including Gsus4.
"Losing My Religion" by R.E.M. – Mandolin riff translated to guitar often uses sus4 voicings.
"More Than Words" by Extreme – Acoustic classic with frequent sus4 suspensions.