A♭ Sus4 Chord
A♭ Sus4 (Absus4) is built from the notes Ab, Db, Eb. Its intervals are Root — Perfect 4th — Perfect 5th. Tense, anticipatory, and leaning forward. Sus4 replaces the third with a fourth that sits just one semitone above where the major third would be, creating a pull toward resolution.
Hear A♭ Sus4 Chord
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Notes and intervals
| Interval | Semitones | Note |
|---|---|---|
| Root | 0 | Ab |
| Perfect 4th | 5 | Db |
| Perfect 5th | 7 | Eb |
What does a♭ sus4 chord sound like?
Tense, anticipatory, and leaning forward. Sus4 replaces the third with a fourth that sits just one semitone above where the major third would be, creating a pull toward resolution.
A♭ Sus4 Chord in music
A lush suspension (Ab-Db-Eb) with a gospel quality. Resolves beautifully to Ab major, common in soul, R&B, and worship music.
How to recognise a♭ sus4 chord by ear
Sus4 sounds like it's about to resolve — there's a tension that leans downward. Compare it to sus2: sus4 pushes, sus2 floats. If the chord feels like it's waiting for something, that's sus4.
Practice identifying this chord in ChordFrog's Level 4: The Studio .
Practice tip
Absus4 (Ab-Db-Eb) has a full, lush tension common in soul and gospel. Both the fourth (Db) and fifth (Eb) are flat notes, giving the chord a uniformly warm character. Resolve to Ab major by dropping Db to C and notice the subtle brightening.
Frequently asked questions
- What notes are in a A♭ Sus4 chord?
- A♭ Sus4 (Absus4) contains three notes: Ab, Db, Eb. The intervals are Root, Perfect 4th, Perfect 5th.
- How do I recognise A♭ Sus4 by ear?
- Sus4 sounds like it's about to resolve — there's a tension that leans downward. Compare it to sus2: sus4 pushes, sus2 floats. If the chord feels like it's waiting for something, that's sus4. Practice identifying A♭ Sus4 in ChordFrog's Level 4 (The Studio).
- What level is A♭ Sus4 in ChordFrog?
- A♭ Sus4 is introduced at Level 4: The Studio. This level adds suspended chords alongside major and minor triads.
Other Ab chords
All Sus4 Chords chords
Hear a♭ sus4 chord for yourself
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