G# Suspended 4th Guitar Chord — Open D
Guitar chord voicings in Open D tuning (D-A-D-F#-A-D)
G# Suspended 4th Voicings in Open D
G# Suspended 4th filtered by fret:
G# Suspended 4th in Open D Tuning — Guide
The G# Suspended 4th chord is made up of the following notes: G#, C#, D#.
Intervals: 1P, 4P, 5P.
The G# Suspended 4th chord in Open D tuning (D-A-D-F#-A-D) requires different fingerings than standard tuning.
G# sus4 replaces the third with a perfect fourth, producing the notes G#, C#, D# (intervals 1P, 4P, 5P). Without the third, the chord is neither major nor minor — just open tension waiting to resolve. Suspended fourth chords create a yearning, unfinished quality that has been exploited brilliantly in folk, rock, and ambient music. They often resolve down to the major chord, providing a satisfying release.
How to Play G# Suspended 4th
On guitar, G# sus4 typically requires a barre or partial barre voicing. Experiment with different positions to find the voicing that best suits your playing context — higher positions sound brighter and tighter, while lower positions offer more bass and resonance. CAGED system shapes help navigate these options efficiently.
G# Suspended 4th in Progressions
G# sus4 is used wherever you want tension without committing to major or minor. It commonly replaces or precedes the G# major chord, creating a sus4-to-major resolution. In modern music, sus chords often stand on their own as ambient, open-sounding harmonies.
Common Substitutions
G# major, C#add9, or G#7sus4 offer different resolutions of the suspended tension.
Difficulty: On guitar, this chord typically requires a barre — intermediate difficulty, but essential for playing in sharp keys.