How to play A♭ Suspended 4th 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: 446644
- Lay your index finger flat across the 1st to 6th strings at fret 4 (a barre).
- Press the 4th string (D) at fret 6.
- Press the 3rd string (G) at fret 6.
Shape 2: xx6644 (from fret 4)
- Lay your index finger flat across the 1st to 2nd strings at fret 4 (a barre).
- Press the 4th string (D) at fret 6.
- Press the 3rd string (G) at fret 6.
- Don't play the 6th, 5th strings.
Shape 3: 44112x
- Lay your index finger flat across the 3rd to 4th strings at fret 1 (a barre).
- Press the 6th string (E) at fret 4.
- Press the 5th string (A) at fret 4.
- Press the 2nd string (B) at fret 2.
- Don't play the 1st 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♭ Suspended 4th
| Note | Role |
|---|---|
| A♭ | 1 (root) |
| D♭ | 4 |
| E♭ | 5 |
The formula for A♭ Suspended 4th (sus4) is 1 4 5: take the root, then the scale degrees listed. In the G♯ spelling the notes are G♯ C♯ D♯.
When to use A♭sus4
Suspended 4th chords replace the third with the fourth for a tense, hanging sound that usually wants to resolve to the major chord on the same root.
Other A♭ chords
A♭, G♯m, A♭7, A♭maj7, G♯m7, A♭sus2, G♯°, A♭+, A♭add9, A♭6, G♯ø7
Other suspended 4th chords on guitar
Csus4, D♭sus4, Dsus4, E♭sus4, Esus4, Fsus4, F♯sus4, Gsus4, Asus4, B♭sus4, Bsus4
Frequently asked questions
How do you play A♭ Suspended 4th on guitar?
The easiest A♭sus4 shape on guitar is 446644 (Lay your index finger flat across the 1st to 6th strings at fret 4 (a barre). Press the 4th string (D) at fret 6. Press the 3rd string (G) at fret 6.)
What notes are in A♭ Suspended 4th?
A♭ Suspended 4th (A♭sus4) contains the notes A♭ D♭ E♭. The formula is 1 4 5.
Is A♭ the same as G♯?
Yes. A♭ and G♯ are two names for the same pitch, so A♭ Suspended 4th and G♯ Suspended 4th sound identical and use the same guitar shapes. Written as G♯sus4 the notes are spelled G♯ C♯ D♯.
How many guitar shapes are there for A♭sus4?
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♭ Suspended 4th on ukulele, check its notes in the chord finder, or transpose a whole song with the chord transposer. Browse the full guitar chord library.