Also written E♭7sus4, E♭ or E♭ Dominant 7th Suspended 4th
E♭ 7th suspended 4th contains E♭, A♭, B♭, and D♭. The default voicing requires a wide stretch across four frets, challenging for smaller hands.
The same three notes, with a different one in the bass.
E♭ 7th suspended 4th is built from the formula 1, 4, 5, ♭7. The perfect 4th between E♭ and A♭ replaces the major 3rd, creating the suspended quality. Compare it to E♭ suspended 4th, which lacks the minor 7th D♭.
E♭ 7th suspended 4th works as the V chord in A♭ major progressions like A♭–D♭–E♭–A♭, the I–IV–V–I. It suits gospel, soul, and rock styles. Compare it to E♭ minor to hear the difference in color.
The B♭ inversion places the 5th in the bass, giving a bright, open sound. The D♭ inversion, with the 7th in the bass, is darker and less stable. Choose the B♭ inversion for a fuller voicing.
E♭ 7th suspended 4th is played at the 3rd fret as 3 3 4 4: index finger on the G string at fret 3, middle finger on the C string at fret 3, ring finger on the E string at fret 4 and pinky finger on the A string at fret 4.
Tip — The pinky must reach fret 4 on the 1st string while the index holds fret 3 on the 4th, requiring a wide stretch.
| String | Fret | Finger | Note |
|---|---|---|---|
| 4 (G) | 3 | 1 | B♭ (5) |
| 3 (C) | 3 | 2 | E♭ (1) |
| 2 (E) | 4 | 3 | A♭ (4) |
| 1 (A) | 4 | 4 | D♭ (♭7) |
E♭ 7th suspended 4th is played at the 6th fret as 6 8 6 6: index finger on the G string at fret 6, pinky finger on the C string at fret 8, middle finger on the E string at fret 6 and ring finger on the A string at fret 6.
| String | Fret | Finger | Note |
|---|---|---|---|
| 4 (G) | 6 | 1 | D♭ (♭7) |
| 3 (C) | 8 | 4 | A♭ (4) |
| 2 (E) | 6 | 2 | B♭ (5) |
| 1 (A) | 6 | 3 | E♭ (1) |
E♭ 7th suspended 4th is written E♭7sus4 or E♭. On a keyboard, use Eb7sus4. It is also spelled D♯ in enharmonic notation for the same sounding root.
E♭7sus4 replaces the major 3rd G with the perfect 4th A♭. This removes the leading tone and creates a suspended, unresolved sound.
Yes, E♭7sus4 often substitutes for E♭7 in dominant contexts. The suspension delays the resolution to the tonic chord.