How to play the Asus4 chord on guitar
A suspended fourth (Asus4) in standard tuning (EADGBE). Play the shape x02230 from the low E string to the high E string. The chord tones are A, D, E, and the lowest sounding note is A.
Fingering chart
| String | Fret | Note |
|---|---|---|
| 6th (low E) | Muted | Not played |
| 5th (A) | Open | A |
| 4th (D) | 2 | E |
| 3rd (G) | 2 | A |
| 2nd (B) | 3 | D |
| 1st (high E) | Open | E |
Notes and intervals
Formula 1 4 5. This shape sounds each chord tone.
| Note | Degree | Interval from A | In this shape |
|---|---|---|---|
| A | 1 | Root (0 semitones) | Yes |
| D | 4 | Perfect 4th (5 semitones) | Yes |
| E | 5 | Perfect 5th (7 semitones) | Yes |
Changing chords from Asus4
Asus4 sounds five strings with one string muted: three fretted positions between frets 2 and 3, plus two open strings. The quickest changes leave fretted notes where they are, so the hand pivots instead of lifting off the neck. These are the chords in this library that share the most fretted notes with the Asus4 shape.
- Asus4 to Dsus2: keep two fretted notes in place (3rd string fret 2, 2nd string fret 3), no new positions to fret.
- Asus4 to Asus2: keep two fretted notes in place (4th string fret 2, 3rd string fret 2), no new positions to fret.
- Asus4 to A5: keep two fretted notes in place (4th string fret 2, 3rd string fret 2), no new positions to fret.
- Asus4 to D5: keep two fretted notes in place (3rd string fret 2, 2nd string fret 3), no new positions to fret.