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E 7th suspended 4th chord on guitar (E7sus4)
Also called or written E7sus4, E or E Dominant 7th Suspended 4th
E 7th suspended 4th contains E, A, B and D. The open voicing uses five open strings and one fretted note on the G string.
How it is built
Formula 1, 4, 5, ♭7
- Root positionE–A–B–DE7sus40-0-0-2-0-0
- First inversionA–B–D–EE7sus4/A×-0-0-2-0-0
- Second inversionB–D–E–AE7sus4/B×-2-0-2-0-0
- Third inversionD–E–A–BE7sus4/D×-×-0-2-0-0
How do you play an E 7th suspended 4th chord on guitar?
E 7th suspended 4th is played in open position as 0 0 0 2 0 0: index finger on the G string at fret 2. The low E, A, D, B and high e strings ring open.
Full note and interval breakdown
| String | Fret | Finger | Note |
|---|---|---|---|
| 6 (E) | open | — | E (1) |
| 5 (A) | open | — | A (4) |
| 4 (D) | open | — | D (♭7) |
| 3 (G) | 2 | 1 | A (4) |
| 2 (B) | open | — | B (5) |
| 1 (e) | open | — | E (1) |
AdvancedThe index finger must fret the G string at the 2nd fret without touching the adjacent open D and B strings.
Open · 0-2-0-2-0-0
E 7th suspended 4th is played in open position as 0 2 0 2 0 0: index finger on the A string at fret 2 and middle finger on the G string at fret 2. The low E, D, B and high e strings ring open.
Full note and interval breakdown
| String | Fret | Finger | Note |
|---|---|---|---|
| 6 (E) | open | — | E (1) |
| 5 (A) | 2 | 1 | B (5) |
| 4 (D) | open | — | D (♭7) |
| 3 (G) | 2 | 2 | A (4) |
| 2 (B) | open | — | B (5) |
| 1 (e) | open | — | E (1) |
Open · 0-2-0-2-3-0
E 7th suspended 4th is played in open position as 0 2 0 2 3 0: index finger on the A string at fret 2, middle finger on the G string at fret 2 and ring finger on the B string at fret 3. The low E, D and high e strings ring open.
Full note and interval breakdown
| String | Fret | Finger | Note |
|---|---|---|---|
| 6 (E) | open | — | E (1) |
| 5 (A) | 2 | 1 | B (5) |
| 4 (D) | open | — | D (♭7) |
| 3 (G) | 2 | 2 | A (4) |
| 2 (B) | 3 | 3 | D (♭7) |
| 1 (e) | open | — | E (1) |
Open · 0-2-2-2-3-0
E 7th suspended 4th is played in open position as 0 2 2 2 3 0: barre your index finger across fret 2 and pinky finger on the B string at fret 3. The low E and high e strings ring open.
Full note and interval breakdown
| String | Fret | Finger | Note |
|---|---|---|---|
| 6 (E) | open | — | E (1) |
| 5 (A) | 2 | 1 (barre) | B (5) |
| 4 (D) | 2 | 1 (barre) | E (1) |
| 3 (G) | 2 | 1 (barre) | A (4) |
| 2 (B) | 3 | 4 | D (♭7) |
| 1 (e) | open | — | E (1) |
12th fret
E 7th suspended 4th is played at the 12th fret as 12 12 12 14 12 12: barre your index finger across fret 12 and pinky finger on the G string at fret 14.
Full note and interval breakdown
| String | Fret | Finger | Note |
|---|---|---|---|
| 6 (E) | 12 | 1 (barre) | E (1) |
| 5 (A) | 12 | 1 (barre) | A (4) |
| 4 (D) | 12 | 1 (barre) | D (♭7) |
| 3 (G) | 14 | 4 | A (4) |
| 2 (B) | 12 | 1 (barre) | B (5) |
| 1 (e) | 12 | 1 (barre) | E (1) |
Why it sounds like that
E 7th suspended 4th is built from the formula 1, 4, 5, ♭7. The perfect 4th between E and A replaces the major 3rd, suspending the chord. Compare it to E suspended 4th, which omits the minor 7th.
What goes wrong with E 7th suspended 4th?
- Touching the D or B string with the index finger, muting them.
- Letting the index finger collapse and buzz on the G string.
When to use it
E 7th suspended 4th works as the V chord in A major, resolving to A major in a I–IV–V–I progression. It also fits E minor and E 5th contexts. The suspended 4th creates tension before a resolution to E major.
Changing to and from E 7th suspended 4th
- Move to E minor by lifting the index finger from the G string and placing it on the A string at the 2nd fret, while keeping the other strings open.
Which voicing to use
The open position is the default and keeps E in the bass. The 12th fret barre voicing moves the chord up the neck while keeping the same bass note E. Choose the open shape for a ringing, resonant sound.
Other E chords
Common questions
What mistake do players make with the open E7sus4 shape?
The index finger often touches the D or B string, muting them. Arch the finger and press only the G string.
How does E7sus4 differ from E minor 7th?
E7sus4 replaces the minor 3rd G with the perfect 4th A. E minor 7th contains G, while E7sus4 contains A, creating a suspended sound.
Is there an easier E7sus4 voicing than the open shape?
The open shape is already the easiest, with five open strings and one fretted note. The 12th fret barre voicing is higher and requires a full barre.