Explore chords · Ukulele
A suspended 4th chord on ukulele (Asus4)
Also called or written Asus4, Asus or A Suspended
A suspended 4th is built from A, D, and E. This open voicing needs only two fingers, making it a quick first sus chord.
How it is built
Formula 1, 4, 5
How do you play an A suspended 4th chord on ukulele?
A suspended 4th is played in open position as 2 2 0 0: index finger on the G string at fret 2 and middle finger on the C string at fret 2. The E and A strings ring open.
Full note and interval breakdown
| String | Fret | Finger | Note |
|---|---|---|---|
| 4 (G) | 2 | 1 | A (1) |
| 3 (C) | 2 | 2 | D (4) |
| 2 (E) | open | — | E (5) |
| 1 (A) | open | — | A (1) |
BeginnerThe two-finger stretch across the G and C strings is easy, but beginners may mute the open E string with the middle finger.
Asus4/D inversion · ×-2-0-0
A suspended 4th is played in open position as × 2 0 0: index finger on the C string at fret 2. The E and A strings ring open. The G string stays muted.
Full note and interval breakdown
| String | Fret | Finger | Note |
|---|---|---|---|
| 4 (G) | muted | — | — |
| 3 (C) | 2 | 1 | D (4) |
| 2 (E) | open | — | E (5) |
| 1 (A) | open | — | A (1) |
Asus4/E inversion
A suspended 4th is played at the 4th fret as × 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 stays muted.
Full note and interval breakdown
| String | Fret | Finger | Note |
|---|---|---|---|
| 4 (G) | muted | — | — |
| 3 (C) | 4 | 1 | E (5) |
| 2 (E) | 5 | 2 | A (1) |
| 1 (A) | 5 | 3 | D (4) |
9th fret
A suspended 4th is played at the 9th fret as 9 9 10 ×: index finger on the G string at fret 9, middle finger on the C string at fret 9 and ring finger on the E string at fret 10. The A string stays muted.
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) | muted | — | — |
Why it sounds like that
The formula 1, 4, 5 replaces the third with a perfect fourth, removing major or minor quality. The fourth interval creates the suspended sound. Compare with A major, which has C♯ instead of D.
What goes wrong with A suspended 4th?
- Let the middle finger flatten onto the E string, deadening it.
- Press too hard on the G string, causing the note to go sharp.
When to use it
A suspended 4th works as a tonic substitute in A major, often in the I–IV–V–I progression: A–D–E–A. It suits folk and acoustic strumming where the open voicing adds brightness. Use it before an A major to create a lift.
Changing to and from A suspended 4th
- Move to A major by lifting the middle finger and placing it on the C string, fret 1.
Which voicing to use
The open position has A in the bass and is the easiest to grab. The Asus4/D inversion puts D in the bass for a softer, less grounded sound. The Asus4/E inversions place E in the bass, adding tension that wants to resolve upward.
Other A chords
Common questions
How is A suspended 4th written?
A suspended 4th is written Asus or Asus4. The symbol Asus4 is the most explicit.
What is the difference between Asus4 and Asus2?
Asus4 replaces the third with a fourth (D), while Asus2 replaces it with a second (B). Asus4 has a stronger pull to resolve to the major third.
Can I use A suspended 4th in place of A major?
Yes, but only when the melody does not need the major third. The suspension creates a floating quality that resolves when you return to A major.