Absus4 Chord on Guitar: How To Play the Ab Suspended Fourth chord
Welcome to our tutorial on the Ab sus4 chord. This chord, a part of the suspended chords family, is composed of the notes Ab, Db, and Eb. The music intervals that construct this chord are the 1 (Root), 4 (Perfect Fourth), and 5 (Perfect Fifth). These intervals give the Ab sus4 its unique, rich sound.
For those unfamiliar with the concept, suspended chords are a type of chord that do not contain a major or minor third, which is what gives them their ‘suspended’ sound. If you're interested to learn more about this group of chords, you can check out our tutorial about suspended (sus) guitar chords.
The Ab sus4 chord is built by stacking intervals, a fundamental concept in music theory. To learn more about how chords are constructed in this way, you can visit our tutorial that teaches how to build chords by stacking intervals.
Understanding the fretboard intervals is key to mastering the Ab sus4 chord. Our tutorial about fretboard intervals can help you get a better grasp of these concepts. Additionally, knowing how to denote chords depending on the intervals that compose it is another crucial skill. Our tutorial on how to denote chords can provide further guidance.
Mastering the Ab sus4 chord will open up new possibilities in your guitar playing. Whether you're a beginner or an intermediate player, this chord can add depth and complexity to your sound. So, let's dive in and learn how to play the Ab sus4 chord!
Notes in the Ab sus4 chord:
Tones of the Suspended Fourth chord:
Fingerings for the Ab Suspended Fourth guitar chord
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If you have difficulties with bar chord shapes, check the Bar Chords Tips tutorial.
You can also use this accessible chords page with written diagrams instruction.
Position 1
Movable
Position 2
Barre
Movable
Position 3
Barre
Movable
Position 4
Barre
Movable
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FAQ
What notes are included in an Ab sus4 chord?
The Ab sus4 chord is composed of three specific notes: Ab, Db, and Eb. Ab is the root, Db is the perfect fourth, and Eb is the perfect fifth.
What does 'sus4' signify in the name of the Ab sus4 chord?
The 'sus4' in Ab sus4 indicates that the chord's major or minor third interval, which is typically found in standard chords, has been replaced by a perfect fourth. This replacement creates a 'suspended' quality in the sound.
Why don't suspended chords like Ab sus4 contain a major or minor third?
Suspended chords are specifically designed to omit the major or minor third. This absence is what defines their characteristic 'suspended' sound, avoiding the definitive major or minor tonality.
How do the intervals 1, 4, and 5 relate to the notes of an Ab sus4 chord?
In the Ab sus4 chord, the '1' represents the Root (Ab), the '4' represents the Perfect Fourth (Db), and the '5' represents the Perfect Fifth (Eb). These intervals are fundamental to its construction.
What is the unique sound of an Ab sus4 chord?
The Ab sus4 chord possesses a unique, rich sound. This distinct quality arises from the absence of a major or minor third, which gives it a 'suspended' character, differing from the more resolved feel of major or minor chords.