A Sus4 Chord
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
All Sus4 Chords chords
Hear a sus4 chord for yourself
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