Esus4 chord
Esus4 is E, A and B: 1–4–5 built on E. Here it is on guitar, piano and ukulele. Tap Play on any of them.
On guitar
0-2-2-2-0-0 · open · easy
- Notes
- E · A · B
- Formula
- 1 · 4 · 5
- First shape
- 0-2-2-2-0-0
Esus4 on guitar: every shape, finger by finger
On piano
root position · E–A–B · right hand 1-3-5
- Notes
- E · A · B
- Formula
- 1 · 4 · 5
Esus4 on piano: fingering and inversions
On ukulele
4-4-0-0 · open · easy
- Notes
- E · A · B
- Formula
- 1 · 4 · 5
- First shape
- 4-4-0-0
Where Esus4 usually goes next
Three changes cover most of what Esus4 does in songs.
- Esus4 → E (resolves down to the third)
Guitar: Esus4 (0-2-2-2-0-0) to E (0-2-2-1-0-0): the index finger goes to the G string, 1st fret, the middle finger slides across to the A string at the same fret, the ring finger slides across to the D string at the same fret. No finger can stay, so practice lifting all of them together and landing the new shape as a unit. Shared notes: E and B.
Piano: Esus4 to E: play E in root position (E–G♯–B) and E and B stay under the same fingers, while A moves down to G♯. E - Esus4 → A (IV in E major)
Guitar: Esus4 (0-2-2-2-0-0) to A (x-0-2-2-2-0): the index finger slides across to the D string at the same fret, the middle finger slides across to the G string at the same fret, the ring finger slides across to the B string at the same fret. No finger can stay, so practice lifting all of them together and landing the new shape as a unit. Shared notes: E and A.
Piano: Esus4 to A: play A in 2nd inversion (E–A–C♯) and E and A stay under the same fingers, while B moves up to C♯. A - Esus4 → B (V in E major)
Guitar: Esus4 (0-2-2-2-0-0) to B (x-2-4-4-4-2): the index finger lays across the A to high E strings at the 2nd fret, the middle finger goes to the D string, 4th fret, your ring finger lands on the G string, 4th fret, the pinky finger comes down on the B string, 4th fret. No finger can stay, so practice lifting all of them together and landing the new shape as a unit. B carries over from one chord to the other.
Piano: Esus4 to B: play B in 1st inversion (D♯–F♯–B) and B stays under the same finger, while E moves down to D♯ and A down to F♯. B
Guitar with a capo: capo 2, Dsus4 shape; capo 7, Asus4 shape. Ukulele with a capo: capo 2, Dsus4 shape; capo 4, Csus4 shape.
How Esus4 is built
Esus4 lifts the third up to the fourth. The suspended note wants to fall back, so Esus4 usually resolves to E major: play Esus4 then E and you'll hear it settle.
From E, go 5 half steps up to A then 2 half steps up to B.
| Note | Role | Half steps | Hear it |
|---|---|---|---|
| E | root | 0 | |
| A | perfect fourth | 5 | |
| B | perfect fifth | 7 |
Keys and progressions with Esus4
No major or natural minor key contains Esus4 as one of its own chords; it turns up as a passing chord on the way somewhere else.
Chords close to Esus4
- Esus4 and E differ by one note: A in Esus4, G♯ in E. They share E and B. E
- Esus4 and Esus2 differ by one note: A in Esus4, F♯ in Esus2. They share E and B. Esus2
Chords that share most of their notes with Esus4: Asus2, Aadd9, A9, Dsus2, E, Em.
Every E chord
Esus4 chord: questions
What notes are in the Esus4 chord?
E, A and B. Esus4 is built 1–4–5 from E: A is the perfect fourth and B is the perfect fifth.
How do you play Esus4 on guitar?
The usual shape is 0-2-2-2-0-0 (open). All 3 guitar shapes.
How do you play Esus4 on piano?
Play E, A and B with right-hand fingers 1-3-5. E sits just right of the pair of black keys. Inversions and left hand.
How do you play Esus4 on ukulele?
4-4-0-0 in standard GCEA tuning. More ukulele shapes.
What key is Esus4 in?
No major or natural minor key contains Esus4 as one of its own chords; it turns up as a passing chord on the way somewhere else.
What's the difference between Esus4 and E?
Esus4 and E differ by one note: A in Esus4, G♯ in E. They share E and B.
All three instruments are drawn and played from E, A and B by the same engine. Updated September 2026.