A♭ Suspended 4th Guitar Chord (A♭sus4)

A♭sus4 is about as rare as guitar chords get. Flat key, no open strings, a color nobody reaches for by accident. The page exists so the one arranger who needs it isn't alone. 4411xx.

A♭sus4 serves the one arranger who wanted pineapple and anchovies.

A♭sus4 chord shapes in standard tuning

○ open string × muted / not played 1–4 suggested finger 3fr shape starts at fret 3 R · 3 · 5 · ♭7 chord tone each string sounds

1fr

4-4-1-1-x-x

Barre · 4fr

4-4-6-6-4-4

6fr

x-x-6-8-9-9

Barre · 11fr

x-11-11-13-14-11

How to play it

Place your index finger on the D (4th) string at fret 1, your middle finger on the G (3rd) string at fret 1, your ring finger on the low E (6th) string at fret 4, and your pinky finger on the A (5th) string at fret 4. Keep the B (2nd) and high E (1st) strings out of the strum. Start your downstroke from the low E (6th) string.

Notes in this chord

Symbol	Interval	Note
R	root	A♭
4	perfect fourth	D♭
5	perfect fifth	E♭

Keep exploring

Other tunings

Open the interactive chord charts to see A♭sus4 in open G, drop D, DADGAD, and more tunings.

More A♭ chords

Nearby suspended 4th chords

A♭sus4 FAQ

What notes are in A♭sus4?
A♭sus4 contains A♭, D♭, and E♭. That's the root (A♭), the perfect fourth, and the perfect fifth.

Is A♭sus4 a barre chord?
Not necessarily. The easiest A♭sus4 shape (4-4-1-1-x-x) needs no barre. It uses 4 fingers. Barre versions exist too, starting at fret 4, and are handy when you want to move the same grip to other keys.

What is the easiest way to play A♭sus4 on guitar?
Start with the 1fr shape 4-4-1-1-x-x. Place your index finger on the D (4th) string at fret 1, your middle finger on the G (3rd) string at fret 1, your ring finger on the low E (6th) string at fret 4, and your pinky finger on the A (5th) string at fret 4. Keep the B (2nd) and high E (1st) strings out of the strum. Start your downstroke from the low E (6th) string.

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