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Esus4 Chord

Esus4 holds A, the fourth, where a major chord would use its third. Letting that fourth move to the third is the small release to listen for.

  • Notes: E-A-B
  • Symbol: Esus4
  • Vsus4 in A major
  • Fourth instead of third
Switch chordEsus4

How to play an Esus4 chord

Notes: E - A - B · symbol Esus4

  • Root position

    E - A - B
    C4C5
    Right hand 1-3-5 · Left 5-3-1

  • 1st inversion

    A - B - E
    C4C5
    Right hand 1-2-5 · Left 5-3-1

  • 2nd inversion

    B - E - A
    C4C5
    Right hand 1-3-5 · Left 5-2-1

Where does Esus4 belong?

The fourth takes the third's place, making Esus4 useful as a brief delay before the major chord.
Play the role cards to hear how its surrounding chords change the job it does; Diatonic Chords explains the basic numbered roles.

  • In A majorDelayed dominant
    Vsus4

    The fourth holds back the third for a moment before the V resolves to A.

    AIEsus4Vsus4EVAI
  • In E majorSuspension and release
    Isus4

    Lift the third to the fourth and let it fall back: a classic rhythm guitar move.

    EIEsus4Isus4EI

Progressions to try

  • AEsus4EA

    Hold Esus4 before the ordinary major chord on the same root; the suspended note then resolves into the third.

  • EEsus4E

    The home chord briefly becomes Esus4 and releases without changing the bass.

Which shape should you use?

On guitar, start with the open 022200 grip. Let the open strings ring and keep any strings marked x silent. The x-7-7-9-10-7 shape gives you another position when the neighboring chords sit elsewhere on the neck.

On ukulele, the open shape 4400 is the easiest place to start. The 4457 grip moves the chord to another register.

On piano, play E-A-B. Move E up an octave to reach the first inversion, A-B-E; the notes remain the same while the lowest voice changes.

What are the inversions?

E is the root, A the fourth and B the fifth. There is no third in this chord.

  • Root position: E-A-B, with E lowest.
  • First inversion: A-B-E, written Esus4/A if A is lowest in the whole arrangement.
  • Second inversion: B-E-A, written Esus4/B if B is lowest in the whole arrangement.

A slash chord names the note in the bass, not merely the lowest note under one hand. Chord Inversions shows how to read that distinction.

How does Esus4 differ from E?

Keep E and B while A moves down to G sharp. That resolves Esus4 into E; the root and fifth never moved. Try that one-note change on piano, then use the comparer to hear it in the full chord. See E for the other chord's full spelling and roles.

  • Esus4

    E - A - B
    C4C5

    E sus4

  • E

    E - G# - B
    C4C5

    E major

Try another chord