How to play A♭ Dominant 7 sus 4 on guitar
These shapes are for standard tuning (E A D G B E). The first is the easiest, and the others sit in different positions on the neck. Playing in another tuning? Pick it above the diagrams and the shapes are redrawn for it.
Shape 1: 444644
- Lay your index finger flat across the 1st to 6th strings at fret 4 (a barre).
- Press the 3rd string (G) at fret 6.
Shape 2: xx6674 (from fret 4)
- Press the 4th string (D) at fret 6.
- Press the 3rd string (G) at fret 6.
- Press the 2nd string (B) at fret 7.
- Press the 1st string (e) at fret 4.
- Don't play the 6th, 5th strings.
Shape 3: x(11)(11)(11)99 (from fret 9)
- Lay your index finger flat across the 1st to 2nd strings at fret 9 (a barre).
- Press the 5th string (A) at fret 11.
- Press the 4th string (D) at fret 11.
- Press the 3rd string (G) at fret 11.
- Don't play the 6th string.
The numbers in the shape name list the fret for each string from the lowest (thickest) to the highest, with x meaning that string is not played and 0 meaning it rings open.
Notes in A♭ Dominant 7 sus 4
| Note | Role |
|---|---|
| A♭ | 1 (root) |
| D♭ | 4 |
| E♭ | 5 |
| G♭ | ♭7 |
The formula for A♭ Dominant 7 sus 4 (7sus4) is 1 4 5 ♭7: take the root, then the scale degrees listed. In the G♯ spelling the notes are G♯ C♯ D♯ F♯.
When to use A♭7sus4
The 7sus4 chord swaps the third of a dominant chord for the fourth, so it is suspended and bluesy. It is common in funk, soul and gospel, often moving to the plain dominant chord.
Other A♭ chords
A♭, G♯m, A♭7, A♭maj7, G♯m7, A♭sus2, A♭sus4, G♯°, A♭+, A♭add9, A♭6, G♯ø7
Other dominant 7 sus 4 chords on guitar
C7sus4, D♭7sus4, D7sus4, E♭7sus4, E7sus4, F7sus4, F♯7sus4, G7sus4, A7sus4, B♭7sus4, B7sus4
Frequently asked questions
How do you play A♭ Dominant 7 sus 4 on guitar?
The easiest A♭7sus4 shape on guitar is 444644 (Lay your index finger flat across the 1st to 6th strings at fret 4 (a barre). Press the 3rd string (G) at fret 6.)
What notes are in A♭ Dominant 7 sus 4?
A♭ Dominant 7 sus 4 (A♭7sus4) contains the notes A♭ D♭ E♭ G♭. The formula is 1 4 5 ♭7.
Is A♭ the same as G♯?
Yes. A♭ and G♯ are two names for the same pitch, so A♭ Dominant 7 sus 4 and G♯ Dominant 7 sus 4 sound identical and use the same guitar shapes. Written as G♯7sus4 the notes are spelled G♯ C♯ D♯ F♯.
How many guitar shapes are there for A♭7sus4?
There are many. This page shows 3 common ones at different positions, easiest first. Moving a barre shape up the neck gives the same chord type on other roots.
See A♭ Dominant 7 sus 4 on ukulele, check its notes in the chord finder, or transpose a whole song with the chord transposer. Browse the full guitar chord library.