E-flat suspended fourth chord (Ebsus4)
The E♭ suspended fourth chord (E♭sus4) is a suspended chord: E♭, A♭ and B♭ (root, perfect fourth and perfect fifth). It has no third, so it is neither major nor minor.
It is the Isus4 in E♭ major and the Vsus4 in A♭ major, and it usually resolves to the major or minor chord on the same root.
Below: voicings, notes on the fretboard, ukulele, piano, inversions and progressions.
How to play E♭ suspended fourth on guitar
There are 3 guitar voicings.
Frets from the 6th string to the 1st: x = not played, 0 = open string.
- Voicing 1: x-6-6-3-4-4, with E♭ in the bass (fingers x-3-4-1-2-2).
- Voicing 2: 11-13-13-13-11-11, movable E-shape barre chord at fret 11, with E♭ in the bass.
- Voicing 3: x-6-8-8-9-6, movable A-shape barre chord at fret 6, with E♭ in the bass.
Notes of the E♭ suspended fourth chord on the fretboard
E♭ suspended fourth has 3 notes: E♭, A♭ and B♭. This is where they fall on each string, from the nut to the 12th fret (fret number in parentheses):
- String 6 (E): A♭ (4) · B♭ (6) · E♭ (11)
- String 5 (A): B♭ (1) · E♭ (6) · A♭ (11)
- String 4 (D): E♭ (1) · A♭ (6) · B♭ (8)
- String 3 (G): A♭ (1) · B♭ (3) · E♭ (8)
- String 2 (B): E♭ (4) · A♭ (9) · B♭ (11)
- String 1 (E): A♭ (4) · B♭ (6) · E♭ (11)
Formula and intervals of E♭ suspended fourth
Its formula is 1-4-5; in semitones from the root, 0-5-7.
- E♭: Root, the note that gives the chord its name
- A♭: Perfect fourth (P4), 5 semitones above E♭
- B♭: Perfect fifth (P5), 7 semitones above E♭
E♭ suspended fourth on ukulele
- Ukulele (G C E A): 1-3-4-1, barre at fret 1; it sounds A♭, E♭, A♭ and B♭.
E♭ suspended fourth on piano
- Keys: E♭4, A♭4 and B♭4.
Inversions of E♭ suspended fourth
Each inversion puts a different note in the bass.
- Root position: E♭, A♭ and B♭, with E♭ in the bass.
- First inversion (E♭sus4/A♭): A♭, B♭ and E♭, with A♭ in the bass.
- Second inversion (E♭sus4/B♭): B♭, E♭ and A♭, with B♭ in the bass.
Keys that use E♭ suspended fourth
E♭ suspended fourth appears in 10 major and minor keys.
| Key | Degree | Function |
|---|---|---|
| E♭ major (3 flats) | Isus4 | Tonic |
| D♭ major (5 flats) | IIsus4 | Supertonic |
| B major (5 sharps) | IIIsus4 (written D♯sus4) | Mediant |
| A♭ major (4 flats) | Vsus4 | Dominant |
| G♭ major (6 flats) | VIsus4 | Submediant |
| E♭ minor (6 flats) | Isus4 | Tonic |
| C minor (3 flats) | IIIsus4 | Mediant |
| B♭ minor (5 flats) | IVsus4 | Subdominant |
| G♯ minor (5 sharps) | Vsus4 (written D♯sus4) | Dominant |
| F minor (4 flats) | VIIsus4 | Subtonic |
Progressions with E♭ suspended fourth
- Sus4 resolution in E♭ major (Isus4–I): E♭sus4 – E♭
E♭ suspended fourth or D♯ suspended fourth?
E♭ suspended fourth (E♭sus4) and D♯ suspended fourth (D♯sus4) are the same chord with two names: they sound the same and use the same frets.
The spelling depends on the key: it is written E♭ suspended fourth in flat keys and D♯ suspended fourth in sharp keys.
Frequently asked questions
What notes are in the E♭ suspended fourth chord?
E♭, A♭ and B♭: root, perfect fourth and perfect fifth. Its formula is 1-4-5.
Which keys use E♭ suspended fourth?
Mainly as the Isus4 in E♭ major and the Vsus4 in A♭ major. In total it appears in 10 major and minor keys.
Is D♯ suspended fourth the same chord as E♭ suspended fourth?
Yes: D♯ suspended fourth and E♭ suspended fourth sound the same and are played the same way. It is written E♭ suspended fourth in flat keys and D♯ suspended fourth in sharp keys.
What does “sus” mean in E♭ suspended fourth?
That the chord is suspended: the third is replaced by another note, leaving E♭, A♭ and B♭ (root, perfect fourth and perfect fifth). Without a third, it can move to either the major or the minor triad on the same root.