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E suspended 4th chord on ukulele (Esus4)
Also called or written Esus4, Esus or E Suspended
E suspended 4th is built from E, A, and B. The default voicing spans four frets and uses all four fingers, so it is not a beginner shape.
How it is built
Formula 1, 4, 5
- Root positionE–A–BEsus44-4-5-×
- First inversionA–B–EEsus4/A9-9-7-7
- Second inversionB–E–AEsus4/B×-11-12-12
How do you play an E suspended 4th chord on ukulele?
E suspended 4th is played at the 7th fret as 9 9 7 7: ring finger on the G string at fret 9, pinky finger on the C string at fret 9, index finger on the E string at fret 7 and middle finger on the A string at fret 7.
Full note and interval breakdown
| String | Fret | Finger | Note |
|---|---|---|---|
| 4 (G) | 9 | 3 | E (1) |
| 3 (C) | 9 | 4 | A (4) |
| 2 (E) | 7 | 1 | B (5) |
| 1 (A) | 7 | 2 | E (1) |
IntermediateThe pinky must fret the C string at fret 9 while the index and middle hold fret 7, stretching the hand across four frets.
Esus4/A inversion · ×-9-7-7
E suspended 4th is played at the 7th fret as × 9 7 7: ring finger on the C string at fret 9, index finger on the E string at fret 7 and middle finger on the A string at fret 7. The G string stays muted.
Full note and interval breakdown
| String | Fret | Finger | Note |
|---|---|---|---|
| 4 (G) | muted | — | — |
| 3 (C) | 9 | 3 | A (4) |
| 2 (E) | 7 | 1 | B (5) |
| 1 (A) | 7 | 2 | E (1) |
4th fret
E suspended 4th is played at the 4th fret as 4 4 5 ×: index finger on the G string at fret 4, middle finger on the C string at fret 4 and ring finger on the E string at fret 5. The A string stays muted.
Full note and interval 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) | muted | — | — |
Esus4/B inversion
E suspended 4th is played at the 11th fret as × 11 12 12: index finger on the C string at fret 11, middle finger on the E string at fret 12 and ring finger on the A string at fret 12. The G string stays muted.
Full note and interval breakdown
| String | Fret | Finger | Note |
|---|---|---|---|
| 4 (G) | muted | — | — |
| 3 (C) | 11 | 1 | B (5) |
| 2 (E) | 12 | 2 | E (1) |
| 1 (A) | 12 | 3 | A (4) |
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 E major, which has G♯ instead of A.
What goes wrong with E suspended 4th?
- Let the pinky collapse and mute the E string.
- Press the index finger too hard, causing the A string to buzz.
When to use it
E suspended 4th works as a tonic substitute in E major, often in the I–IV–V–I progression: E–A–B–E. It suits pop and rock where the suspension adds motion. Use it before a E major to create a lift.
Changing to and from E suspended 4th
- Slide the whole shape down one fret to the 6th fret to play E♭ suspended 4th.
Which voicing to use
The 7th fret voicing has E in the bass and is the most complete. The Esus4/A inversion puts A in the bass for a softer, less grounded sound. The Esus4/B inversions place B in the bass, adding tension that wants to resolve upward.
Other E chords
Common questions
How is E suspended 4th written?
E suspended 4th is written Esus or Esus4. The symbol Esus4 is the most explicit.
What is the difference between Esus4 and Esus2?
Esus4 replaces the third with a fourth (A), while Esus2 replaces it with a second (F♯). Esus4 has a stronger pull to resolve to the major third.
Can I use E suspended 4th in place of E 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 E major.