Piano chord
Gsus4G suspended fourth
- G1
- C4
- D5
- Notes
- 3
- Positions
- 3
- Span
- 7semitones
- Fingers
- 1-3-5
How to play Gsus4 on piano
- Find G: it is the root and the lowest note of the chord in root position.
- Right hand: 1 on G, 3 on C, 5 on D.
- Or with the left hand: 5 on G, 2 on C, 1 on D.
- Press the keys together, with curved fingers and a loose wrist, and let them ring.
Root position · G – C – D
1st inversion · C – D – G
2nd inversion · D – G – C
Numbers on the keys are fingers: 1 thumb, 2 index, 3 middle, 4 ring, 5 little finger.
Gsus4 inversions
Use these 3 positions to move between chords with as little hand movement as possible. Root position starts on G; the inversions start on the other notes of the chord.
- Root positionbass: GRight hand 1-3-5 · Left hand 5-2-1
- 1st inversionbass: CRight hand 1-2-5 · Left hand 5-3-1
- 2nd inversionbass: DRight hand 1-2-5 · Left hand 5-2-1
Gsus4 with two hands
A full sound: the left hand plays G an octave lower, the right hand plays G–C–D.
Gsus4 on other instruments
About the Gsus4 chord
To build G suspended fourth, take these 3 notes from the root up: G (1), C (4), D (5). A suspended fourth: the third is replaced by the fourth. It sounds unfinished and usually resolves to the major chord on the same root.
The keys are G – C – D, counted up from G; the distance from the lowest to the highest key is 7 semitones. Any hand that reaches an octave can hold Gsus4, so it works in either hand.
In the inversions of Gsus4 the root moves up and another note takes the bass. In the 1st inversion the bass is C (C–D–G). In the 2nd inversion the bass is D (D–G–C).
Compared with G7sus4, Gsus4 leaves out F.
Questions
What notes are in the Gsus4 chord?
Gsus4 (G suspended fourth) has 3 notes: G (1), C (4), D (5).
How many inversions does Gsus4 have?
Gsus4 can be played in 3 positions: Root position (G–C–D); 1st inversion (C–D–G); 2nd inversion (D–G–C).
What is the difference between Gsus4 and G7sus4?
Compared with G7sus4, Gsus4 leaves out F.
Can I play Gsus4 with one hand?
Yes. In root position Gsus4 spans 7 semitones, less than an octave, so one hand holds it easily.