Gsus2 Guitar Chord: How to Play it?

Guitar is an instrument that always stands out for its versatility and the wide range of sounds it can produce. One of the ways to explore this range is through the use of different chords, each with its own unique sound and character.One such chord is the Gsus2 chord, it is a beautiful and versatile chord that can add a lot of depth and meaning to your guitar playing. 

In this blog post, we are going to explain what exactly is the Gsus2 chord, and how you can play it. So, without further ado, let’s get started.

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What is the Gsus2 Guitar Chord?

The Gsus2 chord is a type of suspended chord. Suspended chords are unique in that they substitute the conventional third note of a chord with either a second or a fourth. 

In the case of the Gsus2 chord, the usual third note of a G major chord (which is B) is replaced by the second note, A.

Structure of the Gsus2 Chord

The Gsus2 chord is made up of the notes G, A, and D. Here’s how it breaks down:

• G: This is the root note of the chord, and it gives the chord its name.
• A: This is the second note of the G major scale, and it replaces the third in this chord, hence the name “suspended 2nd”.
• D: This is the fifth note of the G major scale, and it remains unchanged in this chord.

How to Play the Gsus2 Chord

The Gsus2 chord can be played in several ways on the guitar, depending on the sound you’re going for and your comfort level with different chord shapes. Here are a few different ways to play the Gsus2 chord:

Finger Placement:

Place the tip of your first finger on the fourth string at the fifth fret. Flatten your finger and press down to make a barre across to the first string. 

Put your third finger on the seventh fret of the third string. Put your fourth finger on the eighth fret of the second string.

Open Position

The open position of the Gsus2 chord is one of the easiest ways to play this chord. Here’s how you can do it:

• Step 1: Start with an open position, meaning you don’t need to press down any frets with your index finger as if you were playing a barre chord.
• Step 2: Place your index finger on the 2nd fret of the 3rd string (G string).
• Step 3: Place your middle finger on the 3rd fret of the 6th string (low E string).
• Step 4: Strum all the strings together, making sure to start from the 6th string (low E string).

e|—0— (1st string)

B|—0—

G|—2— (Index Finger)

D|—0—

A|—0—

E|—3— (Middle Finger)

Barre Chord Version

If you’re comfortable with barre chords, you can play the Gsus2 as a barre chord. Here’s the tab for the barre chord version:

• Step 1: Barre all the strings at the 3rd fret with your index finger. This means you press down all the strings at once.
• Step 2: Place your ring finger on the 5th fret of the 3rd string (G string).
• Step 3: Place your pinky finger right below your ring finger, also on the 5th fret but on the 4th string (D string).
• Step 4: Strum all the strings together.

e|—3— (Index Finger)

B|—3— (Index Finger)

G|—5— (Ring Finger)

D|—5— (Pinky Finger)

A|—3— (Index Finger)

E|—3— (Index Finger)

D Shape:

One of the most popular ways to play the Gsus2 chord is in drop D tuning, which is a popular tuning for many rock songs. 

You can also play the Gsus2 chord using a D shape on the 7th fret. Here’s how:

• Step 1: Barre the 5th fret with your index finger, but only on the 1st, 2nd, and 3rd strings.
• Step 2: Place your ring finger on the 7th fret of the 3rd string (G string).
• Step 3: Place your pinky finger on the 8th fret of the 2nd string (B string).
• Step 4: Strum from the 4th string (D string) down. The 5th and 6th strings (A and low E) are not played in this version of the chord.

e|—5— (Index Finger)

B|—8— (Pinky Finger)

G|—7— (Ring Finger)

D|—5— (Index Finger)

A|—x—

E|—x—

What is the difference between Gsus2 and G Chord?

The Gsus2 and G chords are similar but have a key difference in their composition. The G chord is a major chord and consists of the notes G, B, and D. 

On the other hand, the Gsus2 chord, like its G major counterpart, contains the notes G and D. However, unlike the G major chord, Gsus2 swaps out the B note with an A. 

So, the three notes that comprise the Gsus2 are: G, A, and D. This slight change gives the Gsus2 chord a ‘suspended’ sound, hence the name ‘sus2’. 

It’s neither major nor minor because it lacks the 3rd note of the scale, which determines if a chord is major or minor. This gives the Gsus2 chord a unique sound that can add variety to your music.

What is A Gsus2 chord on a guitar?

The Gsus2 chord, also known as the G suspended 2nd chord, is a type of chord where the third interval in a major or minor chord is replaced with the second interval. This means that instead of the notes G, B, and D that you’d find in a G major chord, the Gsus2 chord consists of the notes G, A, and D. 

This replacement gives the Gsus2 chord a ‘suspended’ sound, hence the name ‘sus2’. It’s neither major nor minor because it lacks the 3rd note of the scale, which determines if a chord is major or minor.

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References:

• Fjellman-Wiklund A., Chesky K. Musculoskeletal and general health problems of acoustic guitar, electric guitar, electric bass, and banjo players //Medical problems of performing artists. – 2006. – Т. 21. – №. 4. – С. 169-176.
• Gerken T. et al. Electric guitars: the illustrated encyclopedia. – Chartwell Books, 2018.