Esus4 Guitar Chord Diagrams | E Suspended Fourth
Welcome to our tutorial on the E sus4 chord. This chord is a member of the suspended chords family, which are chords without the third. The E sus4 chord is composed of the notes E, A, and B, and is built from the intervals 1, 4, and 5. In full, these intervals are known as the Root, Perfect Fourth, and Perfect Fifth respectively.
The suspended chords, like the E sus4, create a sound that feels unresolved or 'suspended', hence the name. They are often used in music to create tension that is then resolved by moving to a major or minor chord. If you're new to the concept of suspended chords, you might want to check out our tutorial on suspended (sus) guitar chords.
Understanding the intervals that make up a chord is key to understanding how chords are built and how they function within a piece of music. If you're not familiar with music intervals or need a refresher, our tutorial about fretboard intervals and tutorial that teaches how to build chords by stacking intervals are great resources.
In this tutorial, we will provide you with chord diagrams and fretboard patterns that show the tones composing the E sus4 chord. This visual aid will help you understand the structure of the chord and how to play it on the guitar. If you're interested in learning more about how chords are denoted depending on the intervals that compose them, our tutorial on how to denote chords is a great resource.
Learning to play the E sus4 chord will expand your chord vocabulary and open up new possibilities for your guitar playing. Let's dive in!
Notes that compose the E sus4 chord:
Tones in the Suspended Fourth chord:
Guitar Patterns for the Esus4 chord
Chord boxes are sorted from the easiest to the hardest. Learn how to read chord diagrams.
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
Open
Position 2
Open
Position 3
Open
Position 4
Open
Position 5
Open
Position 6
Barre
Movable
Position 7
Barre
Open
You can find more shapes in our all guitar chords online library. If you
prefer a printable pdf, download
the Free Guitar Chords Chart Pdf
FAQ
What notes make up the E sus4 guitar chord?
The E sus4 chord is composed of the notes E, A, and B. E is the root, A is the perfect fourth, and B is the perfect fifth.
Why is the E sus4 chord referred to as 'suspended'?
The E sus4 chord is called 'suspended' because it replaces the typical major or minor third with a perfect fourth, creating a sound that feels unresolved or 'hanging'. This characteristic tension is key to its name.
What is the primary function of an E sus4 chord in music?
The primary function of an E sus4 chord is to create tension in music. It is often used to build anticipation and is typically resolved by moving to a major or minor chord, providing a sense of release.
How do the intervals 1, 4, and 5 define the E sus4 chord?
For the E sus4 chord, the '1' interval represents the Root note (E), the '4' interval represents the Perfect Fourth (A), and the '5' interval represents the Perfect Fifth (B). These specific intervals are the foundational building blocks of the chord.
Is the E sus4 chord considered a power chord?
Yes, the E sus4 chord is also described as a Suspended/Power chord. This indicates it shares some characteristics with power chords, typically known for their strong, open sound derived from the root and fifth.
What distinguishes the E sus4 chord from standard major or minor chords?
The E sus4 chord is distinguished from major or minor chords by the absence of a third interval. Instead of a major or minor third, it uses a perfect fourth, which gives it its characteristic unresolved or 'suspended' quality, differing from the definitive sound of major or minor chords.