In this section: Chords

Asus4 (Asus4)

A major with the B string at the 3rd fret: the fourth pulls you back toward A.

It’s played in open position, near the nut, and as a barre chord higher up the neck. It’s mostly used to add movement to A major, which it resolves to.

Notes:: A, D, E.
Formula:: 1, 4, 5.
Difficulty:: Beginner.
Strings played:: 5 (from the A string).

Chord diagram

e|--0--|
B|--3--|
G|--2--|
D|--2--|
A|--0--|
E|--x--|

Other positions

e|--5--|
B|--5--|
G|--7--|
D|--7--|
A|--7--|
E|--5--|

Common mistakes

High E string muted? Your ring finger, on the 3rd fret of the B string, is spilling over. Press right on the fingertip.

Sounds muddy? You’re strumming the low E string. Start on the A string.

Variations

A and Asus2: Asus4 resolves to A, and trades places with Asus2.

e|--0--|
B|--2--|
G|--2--|
D|--2--|
A|--0--|
E|--x--|

e|--0--|
B|--0--|
G|--2--|
D|--2--|
A|--0--|
E|--x--|

Heard in

A, Asus4, A: the classic flourish in rock and folk.

Often played with

The chords in its key, the ones you hear most often around Asus4.

e|--0--|
B|--2--|
G|--2--|
D|--2--|
A|--0--|
E|--x--|

A majorresolution

e|--2--|
B|--3--|
G|--2--|
D|--0--|
A|--x--|
E|--x--|

D majorIV

e|--0--|
B|--0--|
G|--1--|
D|--2--|
A|--2--|
E|--0--|

E majorV