Gsus2 chord on guitar

Gsus2 is G, A and D. The usual shape is 3-0-0-2-3-3. Press Play to hear it, then try it at half speed.

3-0-0-2-3-3 · open · medium

Notes: G · A · D
Formula: 1 · 2 · 5
First shape: 3-0-0-2-3-3

How to play Gsus2 on guitar

Shape 1, 3-0-0-2-3-3, reading from the low E string on the left:

Put your index finger on the G string at the 2nd fret, which is A.
Put your middle finger on the low E string at the 3rd fret, which is G.
Put your ring finger on the B string at the 3rd fret, which is D.
Put your pinky finger on the high E string at the 3rd fret, which is G.
The open A and D strings add A and D; don't touch them.

Arch your fingers so their tips come down vertically. That keeps them off the open strings, which have to ring for the chord to sound complete.
This shape uses your pinky. It feels weak at first; press with the tip and let the finger stay curved.

Other ways to play Gsus2

x-10-12-12-10-10: barre shape at the 10th fret, medium. The root is on the A string; it's the Asus2 shape moved up the neck.
x-x-5-7-8-5: movable shape at the 5th fret, medium. Fewer strings, so it sounds lighter and is quicker to change to.

Capo shortcuts for Gsus2

With a capo you can skip the harder shapes: capo on the 5th fret and play the open Dsus2 shape (x-x-0-2-3-0) or capo on the 7th fret and play the open Csus2 shape (x-3-0-0-3-3). Everything above the capo is fingered exactly like the open chord.

Gsus2 chord changes

These are the changes you'll meet most often with Gsus2, using the first shape of each chord.

G (resolves up to the third): Gsus2 (3-0-0-2-3-3) to G (3-2-0-0-0-3): your middle finger stays put, the index finger goes to the A string, 2nd fret, the ring finger slides across to the high E string at the same fret. The two chords share G and D, which is why the change sounds smooth. G on guitar
C (IV in G major): Gsus2 (3-0-0-2-3-3) to C (x-3-2-0-1-0): the index finger goes to the B string, 1st fret, the middle finger goes to the D string, 2nd fret, move the ring finger to the A string, 3rd fret. Everything moves: lift the whole hand and place the new shape in one go. The two chords share G, which is why the change sounds smooth. C on guitar
D (V in G major): Gsus2 (3-0-0-2-3-3) to D (x-x-0-2-3-2): your index and ring fingers stay put, the middle finger goes to the high E string, 2nd fret. An easy one to get up to speed. Listen for A and D, which stay put while the rest moves. D on guitar

Gsus2 replaces the third with the second, so it is neither major nor minor. The open second in Gsus2 usually rises to the third, so play Gsus2 then G and listen for it to settle. Play it once strummed and once picked to hear the difference.

Practice Gsus2 in two minutes

Before strumming, play 3-0-0-2-3-3 note by note: G then A then D then A then D then G. A dead note tells you exactly which finger to fix. Next, alternate 3-0-0-2-3-3 and x-10-12-12-10-10, slowly, until the change takes less than a beat.

Keys and progressions with Gsus2

Gsus2 on piano and ukulele

Switching instruments? Try Gsus2 on ukulele or Gsus2 on piano, or compare them on the Gsus2 chord page.

Related G chords on guitar

Other suspended second chords

Gsus2 on guitar: questions

What notes are in Gsus2 on guitar?

G, A and D. In the 3-0-0-2-3-3 shape the strings play G (low E string), A (A string, open), D (D string, open), A (G string), D (B string) and G (high E string), so G, A and D are doubled.

What's the easiest way to play Gsus2 on guitar?

The friendliest Gsus2 shape is 3-0-0-2-3-3. It uses 4 fingers and no barre, with open strings, and a capo can make it easier in some songs.

Is Gsus2 a barre chord on guitar?

Not usually: 3-0-0-2-3-3 needs no barre. There are barre versions further up the neck, shown below it.

Which string does Gsus2 start on?

In the 3-0-0-2-3-3 shape the lowest string you play is the low E string at the 3rd fret, which is G, the root.

Every shape above plays only G, A and D, checked by the site's tests. Updated September 2026.