E suspended fourth chord (Esus4)
The E suspended fourth chord (Esus4) 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: 0-2-2-2-0-0, open position, with E in the bass (fingers 0-2-3-4-0-0).
- Voicing 2: 12-14-14-14-12-12, movable E-shape barre chord at fret 12, with E in the bass.
- Voicing 3: x-7-9-9-10-7, movable A-shape barre chord at fret 7, 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): E (0) · A (5) · B (7) · E (12)
- String 5 (A): A (0) · B (2) · E (7) · A (12)
- String 4 (D): E (2) · A (7) · B (9)
- String 3 (G): A (2) · B (4) · E (9)
- String 2 (B): B (0) · E (5) · A (10) · B (12)
- String 1 (E): E (0) · A (5) · B (7) · E (12)
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): 4-4-0-0; it sounds B, E, E and A.
E suspended fourth on piano
- Keys: E4, A4 and B4.
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 (Esus4/A): A, B and E, with A in the bass.
- Second inversion (Esus4/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 (4 sharps) | Isus4 | Tonic |
| D major (2 sharps) | IIsus4 | Supertonic |
| C major (no sharps or flats) | IIIsus4 | Mediant |
| A major (3 sharps) | Vsus4 | Dominant |
| G major (1 sharp) | VIsus4 | Submediant |
| E minor (1 sharp) | Isus4 | Tonic |
| C♯ minor (4 sharps) | IIIsus4 | Mediant |
| B minor (2 sharps) | IVsus4 | Subdominant |
| A minor (no sharps or flats) | Vsus4 | Dominant |
| F♯ minor (3 sharps) | VIIsus4 | Subtonic |
Progressions with E suspended fourth
- Sus4 resolution in E major (Isus4–I): Esus4 – E
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.
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.