Also written A7sus4, A or A Dominant 7th Suspended 4th
A 7th suspended 4th is built from A, D, E, and G. The open-position shape uses only one fretted note, but the wider voicings demand precise left-hand reach.
The same three notes, with a different one in the bass.
A 7th suspended 4th uses the formula 1, 4, 5, ♭7. The perfect 4th from A to D replaces the major 3rd, suspending the chord and creating its open, unresolved quality. The minor 7th from A to G adds dominant tension. Compare with A suspended 4th, which omits the 7th.
A 7th suspended 4th works as the V chord in D major, resolving to D major in the I–IV–V–I progression D–G–A–D. Use it in folk, rock, and blues to delay resolution. It also fits A minor and A 5th chords.
The D inversion (0-2-0-0) keeps the 4th in the bass and is the easiest grip. The E inversion (2-4-3-5) places the 5th in the bass for a brighter sound, while the G inversion (7-7-5-7) puts the ♭7 in the bass for a darker, more unstable feel.
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.
Tip — The default voicing is easy, but the higher inversions require wide stretches and precise fretting across all four strings.
| 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) |
A 7th suspended 4th is played at the 2nd fret as 2 4 3 5: index finger on the G string at fret 2, ring finger on the C string at fret 4, middle finger on the E string at fret 3 and pinky finger on the A string at fret 5.
| String | Fret | Finger | Note |
|---|---|---|---|
| 4 (G) | 2 | 1 | A (1) |
| 3 (C) | 4 | 3 | E (5) |
| 2 (E) | 3 | 2 | G (♭7) |
| 1 (A) | 5 | 4 | D (4) |
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.
| 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) |
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.
| 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) |
A 7th suspended 4th is played in open position as 0 4 5 5: index finger on the C string at fret 4, middle finger on the E string at fret 5 and ring finger on the A string at fret 5. The G string rings open.
| String | Fret | Finger | Note |
|---|---|---|---|
| 4 (G) | open | — | G (♭7) |
| 3 (C) | 4 | 1 | E (5) |
| 2 (E) | 5 | 2 | A (1) |
| 1 (A) | 5 | 3 | D (4) |
A 7th suspended 4th is written A7sus4 or A7sus. It is also called Dominant 7th Suspended 4th.
A7sus4 replaces the major 3rd (C♯) with the perfect 4th (D). This removes the leading tone and creates a suspended, unresolved sound.
Yes, A7sus4 can substitute for A7 when you want to delay resolution. The suspension resolves when the 4th moves down to the major 3rd.
All four open strings are chord tones: G is the ♭7, C is the 4th, E is the 5th, and A is the root. Muting any string would remove a necessary note.