Explore chords · Ukulele
A 7th suspended 4th chord on ukulele (A7sus4)
Also called or written A7sus4, A or A Dominant 7th Suspended 4th
A 7th suspended 4th contains A, D, E, and G. The default voicing stretches the fretting hand across four frets, making it a demanding shape for ukulele.
How it is built
Formula 1, 4, 5, ♭7
How do you play an A 7th suspended 4th chord on ukulele?
A 7th suspended 4th is played at the 5th fret as 7 7 5 7: middle finger on the G string at fret 7, ring finger on the C string at fret 7, index finger on the E string at fret 5 and pinky finger on the A string at fret 7.
Full note and interval breakdown
| String | Fret | Finger | Note |
|---|---|---|---|
| 4 (G) | 7 | 2 | D (4) |
| 3 (C) | 7 | 3 | G (♭7) |
| 2 (E) | 5 | 1 | A (1) |
| 1 (A) | 7 | 4 | E (5) |
AdvancedThe pinky must reach fret 7 on the 1st string while the index holds fret 5 on the 2nd, requiring a wide stretch.
9th fret
A 7th suspended 4th is played at the 9th fret as 9 9 10 10: index finger on the G string at fret 9, middle finger on the C string at fret 9, ring finger on the E string at fret 10 and pinky finger on the A string at fret 10.
Full note and interval breakdown
| String | Fret | Finger | Note |
|---|---|---|---|
| 4 (G) | 9 | 1 | E (5) |
| 3 (C) | 9 | 2 | A (1) |
| 2 (E) | 10 | 3 | D (4) |
| 1 (A) | 10 | 4 | G (♭7) |
A7sus4/D inversion
A 7th suspended 4th is played in open position as 0 2 0 0: index finger on the C string at fret 2. The G, E and A strings ring open.
Full note and interval breakdown
| String | Fret | Finger | Note |
|---|---|---|---|
| 4 (G) | open | — | G (♭7) |
| 3 (C) | 2 | 1 | D (4) |
| 2 (E) | open | — | E (5) |
| 1 (A) | open | — | A (1) |
Why it sounds like that
A 7th suspended 4th is built from the formula 1, 4, 5, ♭7. The perfect 4th between A and D replaces the major 3rd, suspending the chord. Compare it to A suspended 4th, which omits the minor 7th G.
What goes wrong with A 7th suspended 4th?
- The 2nd string buzzes because the index finger is not close enough to the fret.
- The 1st string is muted by the pinky collapsing onto it.
- The 4th string sounds dull because the middle finger is not pressing firmly.
When to use it
A 7th suspended 4th works as the V chord in D major progressions like D–G–A–D, the I–IV–V–I. It suits folk, rock, and blues feels where the suspended 4th delays resolution. Compare it to A minor to hear the difference in color.
Changing to and from A 7th suspended 4th
- Sliding the shape down two frets to the 5th fret gives G 7th suspended 4th.
- Sliding the shape down one fret to the 4th fret gives A♭ 7th suspended 4th.
Which voicing to use
The D inversion places the 4th in the bass, giving a grounded, open sound. The G inversion, with open strings, is easier and brighter. Choose the D inversion for a fuller voicing.
Other A chords
Common questions
How is A 7th suspended 4th written?
A 7th suspended 4th is written A7sus4 or A. The symbol A7sus4 is the most common.
What is the difference between A7sus4 and A7?
A7sus4 replaces the major 3rd C♯ with the perfect 4th D. This removes the leading tone and creates a suspended, unresolved sound.
Can A7sus4 be used in place of A7?
Yes, A7sus4 often substitutes for A7 in dominant contexts. The suspension delays the resolution to the tonic chord.