Elevate your guitar skills with the Asus4 chord, a versatile voicing heard in iconic songs like “Wonderwall.”
The Asus4 chord, often referred to as A suspended fourth, brings a unique color to your guitar playing. It’s a variation of the standard A major chord, swapping out the major third for a perfect fourth, resulting in an open, airy, and slightly unresolved sound. This distinctive quality makes the Asus4 a favorite in genres spanning folk and rock to country, adding harmonic interest and a touch of anticipation before often resolving to the familiar A major chord.
Let’s explore how to play the Asus4 chord in various positions, understand its common uses in chord progressions, and discover songs that feature this essential chord.
What is the Asus4 Chord?
The Asus4 chord is built by replacing the major third in an A major chord with a perfect fourth interval. In simpler terms, while an A major chord uses the notes A, C#, and E, the Asus4 chord uses A, D, and E. This substitution of the C# (major third) with D (perfect fourth) is what gives the Asus4 its “suspended” and more ambiguous character compared to the brighter A major.
The “suspended” sound comes from the perfect fourth interval creating a feeling of harmonic tension that often wants to resolve to a major or minor chord. This inherent quality makes it a powerful tool for creating musical interest and movement in your playing.
Playing the Easy Open Asus4 Chord
For beginners, the easiest way to grasp the Asus4 chord is through an open position variation. This version builds upon the basic open A major chord, making it a simple and accessible transition.
Start by forming a standard open A major chord:
- Place your index finger on the 2nd fret of the B string (2nd string).
- Place your middle finger on the 2nd fret of the G string (3rd string).
- Leave the E, A, D, and high E strings open.
Now, to transform this into an Asus4, simply add your pinky finger to the 3rd fret of the high E string (1st string).
This slight addition creates the Asus4 chord, providing a subtle yet effective way to incorporate this voicing into your playing.
The Standard Asus4 Barre Chord (2nd Fret)
The most common and versatile way to play the Asus4 chord is as a barre chord rooted on the 2nd fret. This position is movable, allowing you to play suspended fourth chords in different keys up the neck.
Here’s how to form the standard Asus4 barre chord:
- Use your index finger to barre across all strings from the high E (1st string) to the A string (5th string) at the 2nd fret. Ensure you apply enough pressure for a clean sound from all strings.
- Place your ring finger on the 4th fret of the D string (4th string).
Strum all six strings to sound the Asus4 chord. Practicing transitioning to and from this barre chord shape will significantly expand your chord vocabulary.
Exploring Asus4 Barre Chord Variations
Once you’re comfortable with the standard 2nd fret barre chord, you can explore other barre chord variations for the Asus4. Understanding that the Asus4 is essentially an A chord shape moved up the neck allows for easy transposition.
You can move the same barre chord shape up the fretboard to play other suspended fourth chords. For instance:
- To play a Bsus4, move the entire shape up two frets (barre at the 4th fret).
- To play a Csus4, move it up three frets from the Asus4 (barre at the 5th fret).
- And so on.
This movable barre chord shape unlocks suspended fourth chords in any key, offering greater flexibility in your playing and songwriting.
Common Asus4 Chord Progressions
The Asus4 chord is frequently used to inject a sense of longing, reflection, or anticipation into chord progressions. Its slightly unresolved quality creates a beautiful tension that often resolves back to the root major chord, or moves to other related chords.
Here are some popular chord progressions that feature the Asus4:
- I – IV – Asus4 – I: (e.g., D – G – Asus4 – D). Famously used in “Wonderwall” by Oasis, this progression utilizes the Asus4 to create a signature wistful and memorable hook.
- I – V – vi – Asus4: (e.g., G – D – Em – Asus4). This progression, found in songs like “Fast Car” by Tracy Chapman and “Riptide” by Vance Joy, employs the Asus4 to add a touch of emotion and depth to a common chord sequence.
- I – Asus4 – I – Asus4: (e.g., D – Asus4 – D – Asus4). This simple repetition creates a hypnotic and contemplative feel.
- vi – IV – Asus4 – I: (e.g., Bm – G – Asus4 – D). This progression adds a touch of melancholy and resolution.
- I – vi – Asus4 – V: (e.g., A – F#m – Asus4 – E). This progression provides a dynamic and slightly dramatic feel.
Experimenting with these progressions will help you understand how the Asus4 chord functions harmonically and how it can enhance the emotional impact of your music.
Effective Drills to Master the Asus4 Chord
Consistent practice is key to mastering any guitar chord. Here are some drills to help you solidify your Asus4 playing:
- Open A to Asus4 Transition: Repeatedly switch between the open A major chord and the easy open Asus4 chord. Focus on smooth and quick transitions, ensuring each chord rings clearly. This builds muscle memory and finger dexterity.
- Barre Chord Practice: Practice forming the Asus4 barre chord at the 2nd fret. Start slowly, focusing on clean barre execution and accurate finger placement. Gradually increase speed while maintaining clarity.
- Asus4 in Progressions: Incorporate the Asus4 chord into simple chord progressions like the ones mentioned earlier (I – IV – Asus4 – I, etc.). Practice strumming through these progressions smoothly and in time.
- Chord Switching Drill: Create a sequence of chords that includes Asus4 along with chords you are already comfortable with (e.g., A, D, E, Asus4). Practice switching between all chords in the sequence to improve overall chord changes.
Regularly practicing these drills, even for short periods, will significantly improve your Asus4 chord proficiency and overall guitar technique.
Songs That Feature the Asus4 Chord: Learn by Playing Along
Learning chords in context is always beneficial. Playing songs that feature the Asus4 chord not only makes practice more engaging but also helps you understand its musical application.
Here are 10 popular songs that incorporate the Asus4 chord:
- Hey There Delilah by Plain White T’s
- Photograph by Ed Sheeran
- Good Riddance (Time of Your Life) by Green Day
- Wonderwall by Oasis
- Hotel California by Eagles
- Wish You Were Here by Pink Floyd
- Fast Car by Tracy Chapman
- Wake Me Up When September Ends by Green Day
- Margaritaville by Jimmy Buffett
- Leaving on a Jet Plane by John Denver
Learning to play these songs will provide practical experience using the Asus4 chord in diverse musical contexts and improve your overall guitar repertoire.
How Guitar Lessons Can Accelerate Your Chord Mastery
If you’re finding it challenging to master the Asus4 chord or guitar playing in general, consider seeking guidance from a qualified guitar teacher. Personalized instruction can provide invaluable feedback, tailored practice routines, and expert insights to accelerate your progress.
A guitar teacher can:
- Diagnose and correct technique issues that might be hindering your chord transitions or barre chord execution.
- Provide structured lessons specifically designed to build your chord vocabulary and musical skills.
- Offer personalized feedback and motivation to keep you engaged and progressing.
- Introduce you to more advanced concepts and techniques as you improve.
Online guitar lessons offer a convenient and effective way to learn from experienced instructors from anywhere in the world. Platforms like Til provide access to a wide range of guitar teachers, flexible scheduling, and resources to support your musical journey.
By mastering the Asus4 chord, you add a valuable and expressive tool to your guitar playing arsenal. Whether you’re strumming folk tunes, playing rock anthems, or writing your own songs, the Asus4 chord will enrich your music and broaden your creative possibilities.
