A7sus4 guitar chords

A - D - E - G
Chord Theory

A7 suspended fourth chords consist of the 1st, 4th, 5th and dominant 7th (b7) notes of the A major diatonic scale.

  • A Major Scale: A - B - C# - D - E - F# - G#
  • Chord: A seventh suspended fourth - A7sus4 (A7+4)
  • Formula: 1 - 4 - 5 - ♭7
  • Notes: A - D - E - G

A7sus4 (A7+4) - A seventh suspended fourth (1-4-5-b7)

Spelling: 1st(A), 4th(D), 5th(E), b7th(G) - 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
↓ A7sus4 Chords

Notes

  • In the 1st position, the chord is written x0203(0/3), with the chord notes x - A - E - G - D - E/G. The number and note after the forward slash (/), indicate the optional note. If you are not playing the optional note, disregard the forward slash and the number or note after it.
  • 7sus4 chords are used less often than sus4 chords in most types of mainstream music, with jazz and alternate styles using them to a greater degree. There is a little more tension created with a 7sus4 as opposed to a sus4 chord, but when used well, it can create an interesting backdrop or introduction for any melody line.
  • This chord creates a suspended, unresolved sound and is commonly used to add tension and flavor in music before resolving to an A7 or A major chord, which has the C# instead of the suspended D note. 
  • Keys using A7sus4 chords: C/Am, G/Em, D/Bm where the major and minor scales share the same key signature, i.e., Am is the relative minor of C Major, Em is the relative minor of G major, and Bm is the relative minor of D Major, i.e., both scales share the same notes and the same key signature. We concentrate on 'standard' key progressions which means in these examples, chords that utilize notes belonging to their respective scales, also referred to as Scale Tone Chords. All the keys mentioned here, meet the requirements of the A7sus4 chord (A-D-E-G).
  • If you want to practice playing a song with A7sus4 chords, try We Can Work It Out by The Beatles.
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