Also written Asus4, Asus or A Suspended
contains A, D, E. A suspended 4th is a beginner shape with two open strings and a compact two-fret reach.
The same three notes, with a different one in the bass.
A suspended 4th is built 1, 4, 5 from A: A, D, E. The perfect 4th from A to D replaces the major 3rd, so the chord has no leading tone and no tritone. Compare A major, which uses C♯ instead of D.
A suspended 4th works as a passing chord in A major, often between A major and D major in the I–IV–V–I progression (A–D–E–A). It suits folk and pop strumming where the open strings add brightness. Try it before A major or D major.
The open position at 2-2-0-0 puts D in the bass, giving a suspended feel. The 2-2-0-5 voicing adds a high A on the first string for a brighter top. Use the 7-4-5-5 shape when you need E in the bass for a different inversion.
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.
Tip — The hardest part is fretting two adjacent strings at the same fret without muting the open strings.
| 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) |
A suspended 4th is played at the 2nd fret as 2 4 5 5: index finger on the G string at fret 2, middle finger on the C string at fret 4, ring finger on the E string at fret 5 and pinky finger on the A string at fret 5.
| String | Fret | Finger | Note |
|---|---|---|---|
| 4 (G) | 2 | 1 | A (1) |
| 3 (C) | 4 | 2 | E (5) |
| 2 (E) | 5 | 3 | A (1) |
| 1 (A) | 5 | 4 | D (4) |
A suspended 4th is played at the 4th fret as 7 4 5 5: pinky finger on the G string at fret 7, 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.
| String | Fret | Finger | Note |
|---|---|---|---|
| 4 (G) | 7 | 4 | D (4) |
| 3 (C) | 4 | 1 | E (5) |
| 2 (E) | 5 | 2 | A (1) |
| 1 (A) | 5 | 3 | D (4) |
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.
| 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 | — | — |
A suspended 4th is played in open position as 2 2 0 5: index finger on the G string at fret 2, middle finger on the C string at fret 2 and ring finger on the A string at fret 5. The E string rings open.
| String | Fret | Finger | Note |
|---|---|---|---|
| 4 (G) | 2 | 1 | A (1) |
| 3 (C) | 2 | 2 | D (4) |
| 2 (E) | open | — | E (5) |
| 1 (A) | 5 | 3 | D (4) |
A suspended 4th is written Asus or Asus4.
A suspended 4th raises the 3rd to D, while A suspended 2nd lowers it to B. Both omit the major 3rd, but the 4th creates a stronger pull toward the 3rd.
A suspended 4th can replace A major briefly to delay resolution. It works best when the next chord is A major or D major.