Tools / Chords / E 7th suspended 4th

E 7th suspended 4th chord on ukulele (E7sus4)

Also written E7sus4, E or E Dominant 7th Suspended 4th

Ukulele · E7sus4/D inversion · B on top

E 7th suspended 4th is built from E, A, B, and D. The default shape uses an open E string, adding a ringing quality to the chord.

E7sus4/D inversion · B on top2-2-0-2

Positions on the neck1 of 5

How it’s built

E1Root

A4Perfect 4th

B5Perfect 5th

D♭7Minor 7th

Formula 1, 4, 5, ♭7

Positions on the neck1 of 5

Inversions

The same three notes, with a different one in the bass.

Root positionE–A–B–DE7sus4Bass E

First inversionA–B–D–EE7sus4/ABass A

Second inversionB–D–E–AE7sus4/BBass B

Third inversionD–E–A–BE7sus4/DBass D

Why it sounds like that

E 7th suspended 4th uses the formula 1, 4, 5, ♭7. The perfect 4th from E to A creates the suspended character, while the minor 7th from E to D adds dominant tension. Compare it to E suspended 4th, which lacks the 7th.

What goes wrong with E 7th suspended 4th?

Letting your ring finger touch the E string, muting it.
Flattening your index finger onto the G string, causing a buzz.
Fretting the C string with too much pressure, sharpening the pitch.

When to use it

E 7th suspended 4th functions as the V chord in A major, resolving to A major in progressions like I–IV–V–I (A major–D major–E major–A major). Its ringing open string suits folk, rock, and blues. Use it to add a suspended lift before an A major resolution. Compare E minor.

Changing to and from E 7th suspended 4th

Move to <a href="/ukulele/d-7-sus4-chord">D 7th suspended 4th</a> by shifting the shape down two frets.
Slide the shape up one fret to reach <a href="/ukulele/f-7-sus4-chord">F 7th suspended 4th</a>.

Which voicing to use

The D inversion at 2-2-0-2 has the 7th in the bass, adding tension. The 4th fret shape has E in the bass, giving a root-position sound. The A inversion at 7-9-7-7 puts the 4th in the bass, creating a softer feel.

How do you play an E 7th suspended 4th chord on ukulele?

E7sus4/D inversion · B on top

Beginner● On the diagram

E 7th suspended 4th is played in open position as 2 2 0 2: 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 2. The E string rings open.

Tip — The ring finger must fret the A string at 2 while the E string remains open, requiring precise arching to avoid muting.

String-by-string breakdown

String	Fret	Finger	Note
4 (G)	2	1	A (4)
3 (C)	2	2	D (♭7)
2 (E)	open	—	E (1)
1 (A)	2	3	B (5)

4th fret

Intermediate

E 7th suspended 4th is played at the 4th fret as 4 4 5 5: index finger on the G string at fret 4, 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-by-string breakdown

String	Fret	Finger	Note
4 (G)	4	1	B (5)
3 (C)	4	2	E (1)
2 (E)	5	3	A (4)
1 (A)	5	4	D (♭7)

E7sus4/A inversion

Intermediate

E 7th suspended 4th is played at the 7th fret as 7 9 7 7: index finger on the G string at fret 7, pinky finger on the C string at fret 9, middle finger on the E string at fret 7 and ring finger on the A string at fret 7.

String-by-string breakdown

String	Fret	Finger	Note
4 (G)	7	1	D (♭7)
3 (C)	9	4	A (4)
2 (E)	7	2	B (5)
1 (A)	7	3	E (1)

E7sus4/D inversion · A on top

Beginner

E 7th suspended 4th is played in open position as 4 2 0 0: middle finger on the G string at fret 4 and index finger on the C string at fret 2. The E and A strings ring open.

String-by-string breakdown

String	Fret	Finger	Note
4 (G)	4	2	B (5)
3 (C)	2	1	D (♭7)
2 (E)	open	—	E (1)
1 (A)	open	—	A (4)

Open

Intermediate

E 7th suspended 4th is played in open position as 7 4 7 0: middle finger on the G string at fret 7, index finger on the C string at fret 4 and ring finger on the E string at fret 7. The A string rings open.

String-by-string breakdown

String	Fret	Finger	Note
4 (G)	7	2	D (♭7)
3 (C)	4	1	E (1)
2 (E)	7	3	B (5)
1 (A)	open	—	A (4)

Common questions

How is E 7th suspended 4th written?

E 7th suspended 4th is written as E7sus4 or E. The alternate name is Dominant 7th Suspended 4th.

What is the difference between E7sus4 and E7?

E7sus4 replaces the major 3rd (G♯) with a perfect 4th (A). E7 contains the major 3rd, giving it a stronger dominant pull. The suspended version sounds more open and less resolved.

Can E7sus4 be used in minor keys?

Yes, E7sus4 appears in E natural minor as the VII chord. It also fits A natural minor and B natural minor. Its lack of a major 3rd makes it flexible across modes.

String

Fret

Finger

Note

4 (G)

A (4)

3 (C)

D (♭7)

2 (E)

open

—

E (1)

1 (A)

B (5)

String

Fret

Finger

Note

4 (G)

B (5)

3 (C)

E (1)

2 (E)

A (4)

1 (A)

D (♭7)

String

Fret

Finger

Note

4 (G)

D (♭7)

3 (C)

A (4)

2 (E)

B (5)

1 (A)

E (1)

String

Fret

Finger

Note

4 (G)

B (5)

3 (C)

D (♭7)

2 (E)

open

—

E (1)

1 (A)

open

—

A (4)

String

Fret

Finger

Note

4 (G)

D (♭7)

3 (C)

E (1)

2 (E)

B (5)

1 (A)

open

—

A (4)