A Sus4 Chord

Asus4 Level 4: The Studio

A Sus4 (Asus4) is built from the notes A, D, E. 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

Piano sample · tap to play

Notes and intervals

Interval Semitones Note
Root 0 A
Perfect 4th 5 D
Perfect 5th 7 E

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 strong, expectant suspension (A-D-E) extremely common on guitar. The Asus4-to-A resolution is a fundamental part of acoustic guitar vocabulary.

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

Asus4 (A-D-E) is one of the most played guitar chords. The D and E are adjacent notes creating gentle tension. Practise the Asus4-to-A resolution (D drops to C#) alongside the Asus2-to-A resolution (B rises to C#) — the third approaches from two different directions.

Frequently asked questions

What notes are in a A Sus4 chord?
A Sus4 (Asus4) contains three notes: A, D, E. 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 A chords

A Major Chord A Minor Chord A Diminished Chord A Augmented Chord A Sus2 Chord

All Sus4 Chords chords

C Sus4 Chord D♭ Sus4 Chord D Sus4 Chord E♭ Sus4 Chord E Sus4 Chord F Sus4 Chord F♯ Sus4 Chord G Sus4 Chord A♭ Sus4 Chord B♭ Sus4 Chord B Sus4 Chord

Hear a sus4 chord for yourself

Train your ear to recognise this chord instantly with ChordFrog's progressive levels.

Coming soon

Requires iOS 16 or later.