Asus4 guitar chords

A - D - E

Chord Theory

Asus4 chords consist of the 1st, 4th and 5 notes of the diatonic root scale of A Major. The 3rd is omitted giving the chord an openness and in most cases, a need for resolution - generally back to the A chord.

  • A Major Scale: A - B - C# - D - E - F# - G#
  • Chord: A suspended fourth - Asus4 (Asus)
  • Formula: 1 - 4 - 5
  • Notes: A - D - E

Asus4 (A sus) - A suspended fourth (1-4-5)

Spelling: 1st(A), 4th(D), 5th(E) - No third

Chart Legend Numbered Circles: number inside circle indicates which finger to use
X: Don't play string
White Numbered Circles: Optional Notes
X on string with optional note: if you omit the note, don't play string
Unmarked strings: Play open
Barre Line: One finger holds down multiple strings
R: Root Note


TAB: Numbers represent frets - not finger positions
Blank Strings: Do not Play
0: play string open
1st

Written: x02230
Notes: x-A-E-A-D-E
Open chord shape: Asus4


 TAB     e |-0-|
         B |-3-|
         G |-2-|
         D |-2-|
         A |-0-|
         E |---|

2nd

Written: 557755
Notes: A-D-A-D-E-A
Open chord shape:


 TAB     e |-5-|
         B |-5-|
         G |-7-|
         D |-7-|
         A |-5-|
         E |-5-|

3rd

Written: x079-10-10
Notes: x-A-A-E-A-D
Open chord shape:


 TAB     e |-10-|
         B |-10-|
         G |-9--|
         D |-7--|
         A |-0--|
         E |----|

🡇 A sus 4 chords


Notes

  • In the 3rd position, the chord is written x079-10-10. We separate any fret greater than 9 with a hyphen so as not to create confusion with double-digits, otherwise the chord above would be written x0791010... too confusing.
  • sus4 chords are often used in all types of music. Whenever you play a major chord you always tend to add a sus4 and then back to the major chord, e.g., A - Asus4 - A, or D - Dsus4 - D etc. This tends to happen naturally when playing certain chords. The major chord to the sus4 creates a bit of tension, with a return to the major for resolution... works well.
  • sus4 chords can also be written as sus chords. We use sus4 as there is no confusion with sus2 chords.
  • Standard keys using the A sus 4 chord: A Major, D Major, F#m, and Bm. Each of the minor keys is the relative minor of the major keys, i.e., A/F#m, D/Bm. If you are playing songs in any of these keys, you may come across an Asus4 chord... generally played next to the A major or A7 chord.

Practice: If you want to practice playing a song with Asus4 chords, you may like to try any of the following:

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