Asus4 Guitar Chord | Play, Hear and Practice Interactively
The Asus4 chord, part of the suspended chords family, is built from the notes A, D, and E, which correspond to the intervals Root (1), Perfect Fourth (4), and Perfect Fifth (5). This chord's unique sound, lacking a major or minor third, offers a versatile, open quality. Use the interactive fretboard tool at the top of this page to visualize every fingering, listen to the chord played as a strum or arpeggio, and instantly check your own playing with real-time microphone feedback.
The absence of a third gives suspended chords their characteristic open and unresolved sound, making them excellent for adding color and tension to your music. To dive deeper into how these unique chords are formed, explore our guide on Suspended Chords. For a broader understanding of how all chords are built, our Chord Construction tutorial is a great resource. As you learn new voicings, mastering smooth chord changes will be key to incorporating them musically.
Below, you'll discover a wealth of information, including 20 chord diagrams organized from the simplest open positions to more advanced movable shapes, alongside relevant music theory, popular songs that feature the Asus4 chord, and the keys where it commonly appears. Before you explore the diagrams, take a moment to engage with the interactive tool above. Use its built-in drum and BPM features to practice strumming the chord in time, and let the mic feedback guide you to perfect your finger placement. This hands-on approach is the most effective way to truly master the Asus4 chord and make it a natural part of your playing.
Notes that compose the A sus4 chord:
Chord Structure:
How To Play The Asus4 chord on guitar
Position 1
Open
Position 2
Barre
Open
Position 3
Barre
Open
Position 4
Barre
Open
Find more shapes in our all guitar chords online library. If you
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You can also use this accessible Asus4 chord page, with written diagram instructions and screen-reader support for blind users.
FAQ
What notes are in the Asus4 chord?
The Asus4 chord is composed of three specific notes: A, D, and E. These notes correspond to the Root, Perfect Fourth, and Perfect Fifth intervals, respectively, within the A scale.
What makes the Asus4 chord sound different from a regular A major or A minor chord?
The Asus4 chord has a unique sound because it lacks a major or minor third. Instead, the third is 'suspended' and replaced by a perfect fourth. This absence of a definitive third gives the chord an ambiguous and open quality, setting it apart from the more resolved sound of major and minor chords.
What are the intervals that build an Asus4 chord?
The Asus4 chord is built using the 1st, 4th, and 5th intervals. In terms of musical theory, these are the Root, a Perfect Fourth, and a Perfect Fifth. For the Asus4 specifically, the A is the Root (1), D is the Perfect Fourth (4), and E is the Perfect Fifth (5).
Why is it called a 'suspended' chord?
A chord is called 'suspended' (like Asus4) because it 'suspends' or replaces the third interval with either a second (sus2) or, in this case, a fourth (sus4). This removal of the third, which typically defines a chord as major or minor, results in a sound that is neither distinctly major nor minor, creating ambiguity and an open feel.
Does the lack of a third in Asus4 affect its versatility?
Yes, the lack of a third in the Asus4 chord significantly contributes to its versatility. Because it avoids the definitive major or minor quality, it can fit well in various musical contexts without committing to a specific harmonic mood, making it useful in diverse musical styles and progressions.