Gbsus4 Ukulele Chord
Gbsus4 on ukulele is 4-1-2-2: barre the 2nd fret across the E and A strings with your middle finger, put your index finger on the 1st fret of the C string and your ring finger on the 4th fret of the g string. It is a barre shape, which feels awkward at first but is well worth learning. You will also see it written as F#sus4, F sharp suspended fourth.
- Notes: Gb, B and Db
- Frets: 4 1 2 2
- Tuning: g C E A
Gbsus4 ukulele chord details
- Type
- Suspended 4th
- Also known as
- F#sus4, or Gb suspended fourth
- Formula
- 1 4 5
- Intervals
- Gb (root), B (perfect 4th), Db (perfect 5th)
- Notes
- Gb, B and Db
- Frets
- 4 1 2 2
- Difficulty
- Hard
- Tuning
- Standard (g C E A)
How to play the Gbsus4 chord
Here is the Gbsus4 chord step by step:
- Put your ring finger on the 4th fret of the g string.
- Put your index finger on the 1st fret of the C string.
- Lay your middle finger flat across the E and A strings at the 2nd fret, a small barre.
- Strum all four strings.
Roll your index finger slightly onto its bony side so it presses every string evenly. Read how to play bar chords if it keeps buzzing. New to these grids? Have a look at how to read a ukulele chord diagram.
Is there an easier way to play Gbsus4?
Yes: play it as x-1-2-2. Barre the 2nd fret across the E and A strings with your middle finger, put your index finger on the 1st fret of the C string and skip the g string. It uses two fingers instead of three. You give up the g string, but every note of the chord is still there, so it works in any song. Use it while the main shape is still settling, then go back to the full voicing for the bigger sound.
What notes are in the Gbsus4 chord?
The Gbsus4 chord is built from three notes: Gb, B and Db (the root, perfect 4th and perfect 5th). On the ukulele the B is doubled, so you get a nice full sound. A suspended chord swaps the third for a 2nd or a 4th, so it sounds neither happy nor sad, just open and ringing until it resolves.
Ukulele songs that use the Gbsus4 chord
Want to go further?
Once Gbsus4 feels comfortable, its close relatives are worth exploring: try Gb7, Gbmaj7, Gbm and Gb. Sus chords want to resolve, so Gbsus4 is happiest right before a plain Gb chord. Then put it into a strumming pattern. When you are ready, try some easy ukulele songs.