Suspended chords (also referred to as sus chords) are a type of chord in which the third note has been replaced with either a fourth or fifth note, creating quartal and quintal chords featuring two perfect fourths or fifths stacked perfectly one on top of another.
These chords can be used to enhance other chords by adding tension and movement – for instance Jimmy Page uses Gsus chords throughout “The Rain Song”. Listen here!
What is a Gsus chord?
Gsus chords are suspended chords that substitute two or four notes from one chord for its third in a new chord that does not belong to either major (GBD) nor minor scales (Gbd). There are many types of sus chords and each can be utilized differently – Gsus chords can help your song create key progression or cadences more effectively than ever before!
To play a Gsus chord on guitar, start by placing your index finger at the second fret of C string and barre with other fingers. Next, place ring finger at 3rd fret of E string and pinky at 10th fret of bass string; this will give you the Gsus chord.
Gsus chords can add tension and emotion to your music, as well as being used as an alternative to maj7 chords in certain circumstances. The latter has a major third while the former features minor thirds; moreover, fretting the latter chord is easier – an excellent choice for beginners!
Suspension chords can be created by combining the first, fourth and fifth scale degrees from any major scale into suspension chords using formula 1-5-4. For instance, to create a Gsus4 chord using this approach, begin with the G major scale and identify its first four scale degrees: these will become notes in your Gsus4 chord.
Gsus chords can be used to produce a dramatic maj7-maj6 progression in the key of C, typically found in classical music. Although often associated with classical music, this chord can also be found used across other genres such as pop, jazz and country – often accompanying minor chords such as Dm and F to create tension-filled mood. Furthermore, sus chords often delay resolution back into tonic – thus their popularity within jazz.
How to play a Gsus chord
As a guitarist, the Gsus chord can be an invaluable addition to your chord arsenal. From adding tension to your progressions and offering resolution, to using it in place of G major chords in songs to add movement and interest.
If you want to play a Gsus chord, begin by barring your fingers across the second string and placing your index finger at the third fret of the first string and your middle finger at the fourth fret of the fifth string (with your ring finger resting at fifth fret of sixth string). Strum all six strings and you should hear a Gsus chord sound!
An alternative method of playing Gsus chords is with barre chords, though this requires more practice than using open chords. To play Gsus chords using barre chords, start by placing your index finger at the third fret before moving it along its trajectory as shown below in this diagram.
Gsus chords can often be found in the key of C, though other keys may use them too. Gsus chords are frequently employed in jazz music to add tension or act as transitional chords between two tonic chords.
Integrating a Gsus chord into your song progression can create tension and dissonance that’s pleasing to listeners – especially if used in unfamiliar keys. But keep in mind that such dissonance could be uncomfortable for some listeners.
If you’re struggling to incorporate Gsus chords into your song, listen to some of your favorite tracks for inspiration on how other musicians are using these chords. Experiment yourself and see how well they fit with your music!
Variations of the Gsus chord
There are various variations of the Gsus chord. One variation, commonly used by rock bands, replaces B with A in its fingerings – it’s easy and sounds fantastic! Another variant uses fingerings similar to that used for standard G major chord, making learning the Gsus5 easy – plus this chord type can be played on any guitar!
Most chords contain either a major or minor 3rd, and “suspended” chords simply mean that their third has been extended out to either a perfect 4th in sus4 chords, or reduced to major 2nds for sus2 chords. If no specific indication is given as to whether your chord is sus or sus4, it will generally be assumed to be sus4.
No matter which variation of a Gsus chord you use, its sound will sound very similar to an original G major chord due to both G and A being part of the same triad. However, its major difference lies in having one additional note added into its composition, creating more tension than in standard G major and making it easier to return back into its natural state if required.
As an aspiring guitarist, you may have come across songs featuring the Gsus chord. Examples include Tom Petty’s Free Fallin’, Hey Jude from The Beatles and Roxanne by The Police; these tunes use it to provide melodic contrast with their lyrics and give each a distinct melodic experience. Though not difficult to learn initially, mastery requires time and practice.
No matter your experience level or musical inclinations, adding the Gsus chord can add an exciting and original flavor to your music. Plus, its presence makes any chord progression better! Keep practicing and you’ll soon become an expert at playing it – you might just be amazed at how quickly it will change the tone of your songs! Give it a go now, and let us know how you like it!
Gsus chord tab
Gsus chord is a four-note guitar chord consisting of G, C and D notes. It gets its name from featuring a suspension note in addition to regular chord notes; this style of suspension note can add emotion and tension to songs as well as provide unique sounds often found in modern jazz.
Gsus chords differ from other suspended chords in that they do not include a tritone interval, which was banned from many catholic spaces in medieval ages due to its difficult singing qualities and often dissonant chord use. Since Gsus chords do not use tritones, they can be played in any key.
The Gsus chord can be played on both electric and acoustic guitars, though playing an acoustic may require a bit more practice due to closer strings. To create it, place your index finger on the 7th fret of the 4th string with its barre, middle finger on 8th fret of 2nd string with its barre and pinky on 10th fret of 5th string with your pinky. To play Gsus chord: Start by placing index finger at 7th fret of 4th string barre before placing middle finger 8th fret of 2nd string with barre, followed by pinky finger on 10th fret of 5th string. To create it: place index finger at 7th fret of 4th string barre. Next place middle finger at 8th fret of 2nd string, followed by placing middle finger 8th fret on 8th string barre and pinky at 10th fret of 5th string barre and middle finger 8th fret of 5th string as shown above; finally place pinky at 10th fret of 5th string 5th string 5th string barre.
Gsus chords can be played using either standard tuning or drop D tuning on an acoustic guitar, with drop D tuning being particularly effective in playing this chord as it eliminates its B note from low E string and bar tunings. To play in drop D tuning, place your index finger on fifth fret of low E string bar tuning; middle finger on seventh fret of A string; ring finger on fourth fret of D string.
Susped chords can be utilized in many styles of music, from rock, blues, and folk to Led Zeppelin’s “The Rain Song”, where its Gsus chord adds great emotion and gives the song its haunting feeling. Modern jazzers such as Herbie Hancock frequently incorporate this chord into their performances.