Chord chart for Asus4 Guitar Chord (A suspended 4th): Notes, Shapes & How to Play | Guitar Wiz

A suspended 4th guitar shapes

Popular fretboard positions with fingering suggestions

Showing 8 of 195 playable shapes

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A suspended 4th guitar chord diagram showing fretboard positions

About the chord

A suspended 4th guitar chord

Asus4 is the A suspended 4th guitar chord. It uses the notes A, D, and E and the interval formula 1-4-5.

The A suspended 4th suspended 4th chord replaces the third with a perfect fourth D, creating a suspended, unresolved sound. This tension naturally resolves to the major or minor third, adding anticipation and dynamic movement in rock and pop.

Root note: A
Quality: suspended 4th
Chord tones: 3
Playable shapes: 195

Chord tones

ADE

Common guitar voicings

These are quick-start shapes for players who want the answer first and the deeper theory second.

Shape x00230

x00230

View shape
  1. 1 Place the 1st finger on the 2nd fret of the 3rd string.
  2. 2 Place the 2nd finger on the 3rd fret of the 2nd string.
  3. 3 Let the fifth, fourth, and first strings ring open.
  4. 4 Strum from the 5th string down.

Shape x02230

x02230

View shape
  1. 1 Place the 1st finger on the 2nd fret of the 4th string.
  2. 2 Place the 2nd finger on the 2nd fret of the 3rd string.
  3. 3 Place the 3rd finger on the 3rd fret of the 2nd string.
  4. 4 Let the fifth and first strings ring open.
  5. 5 Strum from the 5th string down.

Notes & Intervals

Each note below shows how the chord is built from its root. This is the theory layer underneath the fretboard shapes.

A Unison (Root) 1

The root anchors the chord and defines its tonal center.

D Perfect Fourth 4

The fourth creates suspension and a sense of pull toward resolution.

E Perfect Fifth 5

The fifth reinforces stability and gives the chord its strong harmonic frame.

Shape details

Every shape is shown with its diagram and exact fingering instructions.

A suspended 4th shape x00230

How to play this shape

  1. 1 Place the 1st finger on the 2nd fret of the 3rd string
  2. 2 Place the 2nd finger on the 3rd fret of the 2nd string
  3. 3 Let the fifth, fourth, and first strings ring open
  4. 4 Do not play the sixth string
  5. 5 Strum from the fifth string down to the first string

A suspended 4th shape x02230

How to play this shape

  1. 1 Place the 1st finger on the 2nd fret of the 4th string
  2. 2 Place the 2nd finger on the 2nd fret of the 3rd string
  3. 3 Place the 3rd finger on the 3rd fret of the 2nd string
  4. 4 Let the fifth and first strings ring open
  5. 5 Do not play the sixth string
  6. 6 Strum from the fifth string down to the first string

A suspended 4th shape 500755

How to play this shape

  1. 1 Place the 1st finger on the 5th fret of the 6th string
  2. 2 Place the 2nd finger on the 5th fret of the 1st string and 2nd string in barre position
  3. 3 Place the 3rd finger on the 7th fret of the 3rd string
  4. 4 Let the fifth and fourth strings ring open
  5. 5 Strum from the sixth string down to the first string

A suspended 4th shape x00755

How to play this shape

  1. 1 Place the 1st finger on the 5th fret of the 2nd string
  2. 2 Place the 2nd finger on the 5th fret of the 1st string
  3. 3 Place the 3rd finger on the 7th fret of the 3rd string
  4. 4 Let the fifth and fourth strings ring open
  5. 5 Do not play the sixth string
  6. 6 Strum from the fifth string down to the first string

A suspended 4th shape 570755

How to play this shape

  1. 1 Place the 1st finger on the 5th fret of the 6th string
  2. 2 Place the 2nd finger on the 5th fret of the 1st string and 2nd string in barre position
  3. 3 Place the 3rd finger on the 7th fret of the 5th string
  4. 4 Place the 4th finger on the 7th fret of the 3rd string
  5. 5 Let the fourth string ring open
  6. 6 Strum from the sixth string down to the first string

A suspended 4th shape 557755

How to play this shape

  1. 1 Place the 1st finger on the 5th fret of the 1st string, 2nd string, 5th string, and 6th string in barre position
  2. 2 Place the 3rd finger on the 7th fret of the 4th string
  3. 3 Place the 4th finger on the 7th fret of the 3rd string
  4. 4 Strum from the sixth string down to the first string

A suspended 4th shape xx7755

How to play this shape

  1. 1 Place the 1st finger on the 5th fret of the 2nd string
  2. 2 Place the 2nd finger on the 5th fret of the 1st string
  3. 3 Place the 3rd finger on the 7th fret of the 4th string
  4. 4 Place the 4th finger on the 7th fret of the 3rd string
  5. 5 Do not play the sixth and fifth strings
  6. 6 Strum from the fourth string down to the first string

A suspended 4th shape 507755

How to play this shape

  1. 1 Place the 1st finger on the 5th fret of the 6th string
  2. 2 Place the 2nd finger on the 5th fret of the 1st string and 2nd string in barre position
  3. 3 Place the 3rd finger on the 7th fret of the 4th string
  4. 4 Place the 4th finger on the 7th fret of the 3rd string
  5. 5 Let the fifth string ring open
  6. 6 Strum from the sixth string down to the first string

Quick answers

What notes are in Asus4?

Asus4 uses the notes A, D, and E. Its interval formula is 1-4-5.

How do you play Asus4 on guitar?

Place the 1st finger on the 2nd fret of the 3rd string. Place the 2nd finger on the 3rd fret of the 2nd string. Let the fifth, fourth, and first strings ring open. Strum from the 5th string down.

Related Articles

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