suspended fourth chord
E, A and B
- Root
- E
- Perfect fourth
- A
- Perfect fifth
- B
Formula
1 4 5 (5, 7 half steps above E)
Fingering in root position
| Notes | E | A | B |
|---|---|---|---|
| Right hand | 1 | 4 | 5 |
| Left hand | 5 | 2 | 1 |
Esus4 inversions
Esus4 has 2 inversions. Each one keeps the same notes and puts a different one at the bottom, so your hand can stay close to the chord before or after it.
Esus4
Root position
| Notes | E | A | B |
|---|---|---|---|
| Right hand | 1 | 4 | 5 |
| Left hand | 5 | 2 | 1 |
Esus4/A
First inversion
| Notes | A | B | E |
|---|---|---|---|
| Right hand | 1 | 2 | 5 |
| Left hand | 5 | 4 | 1 |
Esus4/B
Second inversion
| Notes | B | E | A |
|---|---|---|---|
| Right hand | 1 | 3 | 5 |
| Left hand | 5 | 3 | 1 |
Where Esus4 fits
Esus4 has no third, so it is neither major nor minor. All of its notes are in E major, A major, D major, G major and C major, so it fits naturally in those keys.
How Esus4 is built
E is the root, A the perfect fourth and B the perfect fifth.
A sus4 chord swaps the third for the fourth, 5 half steps above the root. The fourth often steps down to the third next, turning Esus4 into E major.
Every chord takes every other letter of the alphabet, so the letters of Esus4 are E, A, B. That is why it is spelled E, A and B.
Find Esus4 yourself
Without looking at the diagrams, find the chord on the keyboard, then each inversion. Saying the notes out loud as you tap them helps them stick.
Step 1 of 3
Tap the notes of Esus4, in any octave and any order.
Practice Esus4 in real music
MasterPiano gives you new music to read at your level and listens as you play, through a MIDI keyboard or your device's microphone, marking each note right or wrong.
Start freeQuestions
What notes are in the Esus4 chord?
Esus4 has three notes: E, A and B. E is the root, A the perfect fourth and B the perfect fifth.
What fingers do you use for Esus4 on piano?
In root position, play E, A and B with right hand fingers 1, 4 and 5 (thumb, ring finger and little finger) and left hand fingers 5, 2 and 1. The fingers change a little in each inversion; every inversion on this page shows its own.
What are the inversions of Esus4?
Esus4 has 2 inversions, one for each note other than the root at the bottom. First inversion (Esus4/A): A, B and E. Second inversion (Esus4/B): B, E and A.
What is a suspended fourth chord?
A sus4 chord swaps the third for the fourth, 5 half steps above the root. The fourth often steps down to the third next, turning Esus4 into E major. All the notes of Esus4 are in E major, A major, D major and G major.