Piano chord
Asus4A suspended fourth
- A1
- D4
- E5
- Notes
- 3
- Positions
- 3
- Span
- 7semitones
- Fingers
- 1-3-5
How to play Asus4 on piano
- Find A: it is the root and the lowest note of the chord in root position.
- Right hand: 1 on A, 3 on D, 5 on E.
- Or with the left hand: 5 on A, 2 on D, 1 on E.
- Press the keys together, with curved fingers and a loose wrist, and let them ring.
Root position · A – D – E
1st inversion · D – E – A
2nd inversion · E – A – D
Numbers on the keys are fingers: 1 thumb, 2 index, 3 middle, 4 ring, 5 little finger.
Asus4 inversions
Use these 3 positions to move between chords with as little hand movement as possible. Root position starts on A; the inversions start on the other notes of the chord.
- Root positionbass: ARight hand 1-3-5 · Left hand 5-2-1
- 1st inversionbass: DRight hand 1-2-5 · Left hand 5-3-1
- 2nd inversionbass: ERight hand 1-2-5 · Left hand 5-2-1
Asus4 with two hands
A full sound: the left hand plays A an octave lower, the right hand plays A–D–E.
Asus4 on other instruments
About the Asus4 chord
To build A suspended fourth, take these 3 notes from the root up: A (1), D (4), E (5). A suspended fourth: the third is replaced by the fourth. It sounds unfinished and usually resolves to the major chord on the same root.
The keys are A – D – E, counted up from A; the distance from the lowest to the highest key is 7 semitones. Any hand that reaches an octave can hold Asus4, so it works in either hand.
In the inversions of Asus4 the root moves up and another note takes the bass. In the 1st inversion the bass is D (D–E–A). In the 2nd inversion the bass is E (E–A–D).
Compared with A7sus4, Asus4 leaves out G.
Questions
What notes are in the Asus4 chord?
Asus4 (A suspended fourth) has 3 notes: A (1), D (4), E (5).
How many inversions does Asus4 have?
Asus4 can be played in 3 positions: Root position (A–D–E); 1st inversion (D–E–A); 2nd inversion (E–A–D).
What is the difference between Asus4 and A7sus4?
Compared with A7sus4, Asus4 leaves out G.
Can I play Asus4 with one hand?
Yes. In root position Asus4 spans 7 semitones, less than an octave, so one hand holds it easily.