Also written A7sus4, A or A Dominant 7th Suspended 4th
A 7th suspended 4th contains A, D, E, and G. The 5th-fret shape stretches the fretting hand across two frets, making it a demanding bass voicing.
The same three notes, with a different one in the bass.
A 7th suspended 4th is built from the formula 1, 4, 5, ♭7. The perfect 4th between A and D replaces the 3rd, giving it an open, unresolved quality. Compare it to A suspended 4th, which omits the minor 7th G.
A 7th suspended 4th works as a dominant chord in D major, appearing in the I–IV–V–I progression D major–G major–A major–D major. It suits rock and funk bass lines that need a suspended, driving feel. Compare it to A minor to hear the difference between a suspended dominant and a minor chord.
The 5th-fret shape keeps A in the bass for a root-position sound. The open-string A7sus4/E inversion puts E in the bass, which softens the chord and works well for a lighter texture.
A 7th suspended 4th is played at the 5th fret as 5 7 5 7: index finger on the E string at fret 5, ring finger on the A string at fret 7, middle finger on the D string at fret 5 and pinky finger on the G string at fret 7.
Tip — The stretch between the index finger on the 5th fret and the pinky on the 7th fret requires wide finger independence.
| String | Fret | Finger | Note |
|---|---|---|---|
| 4 (E) | 5 | 1 | A (1) |
| 3 (A) | 7 | 3 | E (5) |
| 2 (D) | 5 | 2 | G (♭7) |
| 1 (G) | 7 | 4 | D (4) |
A 7th suspended 4th is played in open position as 0 0 0 0. The E, A, D and G strings ring open.
| String | Fret | Finger | Note |
|---|---|---|---|
| 4 (E) | open | — | E (5) |
| 3 (A) | open | — | A (1) |
| 2 (D) | open | — | D (4) |
| 1 (G) | open | — | G (♭7) |
A 7th suspended 4th is played at the 12th fret as 12 12 12 12: barre your index finger across fret 12.
| String | Fret | Finger | Note |
|---|---|---|---|
| 4 (E) | 12 | 1 (barre) | E (5) |
| 3 (A) | 12 | 1 (barre) | A (1) |
| 2 (D) | 12 | 1 (barre) | D (4) |
| 1 (G) | 12 | 1 (barre) | G (♭7) |
A 7th suspended 4th adds the minor 7th G to the A, D, and E of A suspended 4th. That extra note creates a dominant pull toward D major.
Yes, the A7sus4/E inversion uses all open strings. It is easier to play but places E in the bass instead of A.
They often let the middle finger collapse onto the A string, muting the 7th-fret note. Keep that finger arched to let every string ring.