Piano chords · Sus4 chord
Esus4 piano chord (E suspended fourth)
Esus4 is a suspended fourth chord with 3 notes. It sounds open and expectant, waiting to resolve. Here's how to find it, play it and hear it.
E – A – B · tap any key to hear it
The notes of Esus4
Esus4 is built from 3 notes (1 – 4 – 5):
- E, the root
- A, the fourth
- B, the fifth
Every note is a white key, which makes Esus4 an easy chord to find and play.
Fingering
- Right hand: 1 on E, 4 on A, 5 on B.
- Left hand: 5 on E, 2 on A, 1 on B.
Press every key at exactly the same moment, with the same weight. If one note sounds louder or a fraction late, the chord sounds uneven: play it slowly and listen for one sound.
Inversions
An inversion is the same notes in a different order, with a different note at the bottom. Inversions let you move between chords without jumping around the keyboard.
| Position | Notes, bottom to top |
|---|---|
| Root position | E – A – B |
| 1st inversion | A – B – E |
| 2nd inversion | B – E – A |
Where Esus4 belongs
A sus chord is neither major nor minor: the fourth takes the place of the third. It usually resolves, with the fourth moving to the third, to E or Em.
Esus4 is E with its third (G♯) replaced by the fourth, A.
Hear it in a progression
Esus4 – E – Esus4 – E: Esus4 resolving to E and back: the classic suspension.
Playing it, but it doesn't sound right? Ivory listens to you play and tells you what's off: a note that's missing, a hand that lands late, a chord that's uneven. Then it shows you how it should go.
Questions people ask
What notes are in the Esus4 chord?
Esus4 (E suspended fourth) is made of E, A and B: the root, fourth and fifth.
How do you play Esus4 on piano?
With your right hand, use fingers 1 on E, 4 on A, 5 on B, and press them together. With your left hand: 5 on E, 2 on A, 1 on B.
How is Esus4 different from the plain chord?
Esus4 is E with its third (G♯) replaced by the fourth, A.