The A sus 4 chord contains the notes A, D and E. It is produced by taking the 1 (root), 4 and 5 of the A Major scale. It is essentially an A Major chord, with the 3rd (C#) taken out and the 4th (D) added in.
By omitting the 3rd and adding the 4th, the chord feels ‘suspended‘. The 4th creates a feeling of tension, which feels resolved when the chord moves to the standard Major chord (bringing the 3rd back in). To demonstrate this, try the following chord progression:
A Major – A sus 4 – A Major
Just by strumming those three chords once each, you will hear the the tension that is created by moving to the A sus 4 chord. You will also hear the resolution that is created by moving from the sus chord back to the Major chord.
A sus 4 is often used as a way of adding flavour to the A Major chord. The A sus 4 chord is often substituted momentarily, when playing the A chord, to create a quick sense of musical movement and interest.
The most common way to play the A suspended 4 chord is in the open position (first shape in the pic below).
10 Ways To Play The A Sus 4 Chord
If you’ve come to this page just to view some chord diagrams for A suspended 4, here they are.
Some Quick A Sus 4 Chord Theory
- The A suspended 4 chord contains the notes A, D and E.
- The A sus 4 chord is produced by taking the 1 (root), 4, 5 of the A Major scale.
- A sus 4 often resolves to A Major. They work together like a pair.
- The 4th (D) sounds like it is suspended in the chord and wants to resolve.
Further Reading
