The Asus4 guitar chord, also known as A suspended 4th, is a versatile and evocative chord that every guitarist should have in their repertoire. It adds a unique flavor to progressions, creating a sense of anticipation and resolution. This guide will explore various ways to play the Asus4 chord in standard tuning, providing you with chord charts, finger placement tips, and insights to enhance your guitar playing.
Understanding the Asus4 Chord
Before diving into fingerings, let’s understand what makes an Asus4 chord unique. The “sus4” designation means that the third of the major chord (C# in an A major chord) is replaced by the fourth (D). This creates a suspended sound, neither strictly major nor minor, which often resolves beautifully to a standard A major or A minor chord. The notes in an Asus4 chord are typically A, D, and E.
Asus4 Chord Charts and Voicings in Standard Tuning
Here are several voicings of the Asus4 chord you can use, ranging from beginner-friendly open positions to more advanced voicings up the neck.
Open Position Asus4 Chord
This is often the first Asus4 voicing guitarists learn due to its simplicity.
O
O
X
1
2
3
4
5
123
E
D
A
E
AThis voicing is played by barring across the second fret with your index finger and placing your middle and ring fingers as shown. It’s crucial to ensure each string rings clearly. A common challenge for beginners is muting the high E string. If you encounter this, try slightly adjusting your finger pressure or angle. Alternatively, it’s perfectly acceptable to avoid strumming the high E string altogether in this voicing if needed.
Alt text: Asus4 chord diagram open position, showing fingers on D, G, and B strings at the 2nd fret, with open A, D, and low E strings.
Another slight variation on this open position voicing is as follows:
O
O
X
1
2
3
4
5
112
E
D
A
E
AThis version involves using your index finger to bar across the second fret on the D and G strings, and your middle finger on the B string at the second fret. Experiment to find which open voicing feels most comfortable and sounds best to your ear.
Alt text: Asus4 guitar chord diagram, alternative open position voicing with index finger barring D and G strings at 2nd fret.
A further variation in open position utilizes different fingers:
O
O
X
1
2
3
4
5
234
E
D
A
E
AIn this voicing, use your middle, ring, and pinky fingers to fret the notes, which some players find provides more dexterity for chord changes.
Alt text: Open Asus4 chord fingering diagram using middle, ring, and pinky fingers on 2nd fret.
For a more simplified “open” Asus4, you can also play a variation that only uses three strings:
X
O
X
1
2
3
4
5
112
D
A
E
AThis voicing focuses on the core tones of the Asus4 chord and is useful in situations where you want a less full sound.
Alt text: Simplified open Asus4 chord diagram using three strings, omitting low E and high E strings.
Another three string open voicing offers a slightly different tonal color:
O
O
X
1
2
3
4
5
234
E
D
A
E
AThis variation, again using middle, ring, and pinky fingers, provides another option for achieving an open Asus4 sound.
Alt text: Alternate simplified open Asus4 guitar chord, emphasizing different string combination.
And yet another option for open voicing:
O
O
X
1
2
3
4
5
124
E
D
A
E
AThis utilizes index, middle, and pinky fingers, offering another ergonomic choice depending on your hand size and finger flexibility.
Alt text: Further variation of simplified open Asus4 chord, using index, middle and pinky fingers.
Barre Chord Asus4 Voicing
To play Asus4 higher up the neck, barre chords are essential. Here’s a common barre chord shape for Asus4, rooted on the 5th fret:
X
X
X
5
6
7
8
9
3411
A
E
D
AThis voicing utilizes a partial barre with your index finger across the 5th fret, and other fingers to create the Asus4 shape. This is a movable shape, meaning you can slide it up and down the neck to play other suspended 4th chords.
Alt text: Asus4 barre chord diagram on 5th fret, showcasing a movable chord shape for higher positions.
Hendrix Style Asus4 Voicing
For a more bluesy and rock-oriented sound, consider this “Hendrix-style” voicing, which is played higher up the neck:
X
X
X
X
X
X
5
6
7
8
9
E
D
AThis voicing, often associated with Jimi Hendrix’s playing style, is a powerful and dynamic way to play Asus4, particularly in lead guitar contexts.
Alt text: Hendrix style Asus4 chord diagram higher up the neck, known for its blues and rock sound.
Tips for Playing the Asus4 Chord
- Clean Sound: Ensure each note rings out clearly. Adjust your finger pressure and placement if you hear buzzing or muted strings.
- Transitions: Practice transitioning smoothly between Asus4 and other chords in your progressions, especially A major and A minor, to hear the suspended chord’s resolution.
- Experiment: Try different Asus4 voicings to find what sounds best in different musical contexts and what feels comfortable for your playing style.
Conclusion
The Asus4 guitar chord is a valuable addition to any guitarist’s chord vocabulary. By mastering these different voicings and understanding its musical function, you can add depth and interest to your playing. Experiment with these shapes, practice your transitions, and explore the unique sonic character of the Asus4 chord in your own music.
