In the next few examples we are going to mutate a G major chord into a Gm, Gsus2, and Gsus4. This are going to take a little more effort than converting the A chord did.

Converting G to Gm

In order to convert a basic G major fingering into a Gm chord, we are going to need to lower all of the B(3) notes to B(3). This is sometimes easier said than done. In a basic G major chord fingering there are 2 Bs, one on the 2nd string open, and one on the 5th string 2nd fret. So the first obstacle we have is how to deal with the 2nd string, since you can't play a note that is one fret lower than an open string. Well, you could be creative and just tune your 2nd string down a half step, but if you want to stay in standard tuning you have to do one of two things here.

1. You will need to mute the 2nd string. Muting a string is sometimes the best option when trying to convert different chords. Sometimes muting the string will be easy, sometimes there will not be a comfortable way to do so.

2. Find another note within the chord to play on the 2nd string. Since playing a B is not feasible, the we may be able to play a G or a D note instead.

To play a G note on the 2nd string would require a stretch that is beyond us mortal human beings. G is at the 8th fret. D however is at the 3rd fret on the 2nd string, so this is a very comfortable option

To finish and create a Gm chord there is really only one more step that we need to do. Lower the B on the 5th string down to B.

Here is the fingering for that chord form.

That works fine, a little bit of a stretch, but workable. But sometimes there is more than one solution to a problem. What if there was another place that you could play a B note so you could avoid the stretch that is required from playing B on the 5th string. The only other comfortable place to play B in this position is on the 3rd string at the 3rd fret. Again, knowing the names of the notes on the neck is key to being able to apply music theory easily to the guitar. Since the 3rd string open was a G, and we already have 2 other Gs within this chord form, that particular one is expendable.

I now also have to decide what to do with the 5th string. I am either going to play another chord tone, or mute the string. Investigate the other possibilities yourself, but probably the best option is going to be muting that string.

Here is a suggested fingering for that chord form.

Page 6, Converting A to Asus4

Page 8, Converting G to Gsus2