Asus4 chord on guitar

Asus4 is A, D and E. The easiest shape is x-0-2-2-3-0. Press Play to hear it, then try it at half speed.

x-0-2-2-3-0 · open · easy

Notes: A · D · E
Formula: 1 · 4 · 5
First shape: x-0-2-2-3-0

How to play Asus4 on guitar

Shape 1, x-0-2-2-3-0, reading from the low E string on the left:

Put your index finger on the D string at the 2nd fret, which is E.
Put your middle finger on the G string at the 2nd fret, which is A.
Put your ring finger on the B string at the 3rd fret, which is D.
The open A and high E strings add A and E; don't touch them.
Skip the low E string and begin the strum from the A string.

Arch your fingers so their tips come down vertically. That keeps them off the open strings, which have to ring for the chord to sound complete.

Other ways to play Asus4

5-7-7-7-5-5: barre shape at the 5th fret, medium. The root is on the low E string, so you can slide this shape to play any suspended fourth chord.
x-12-14-14-15-12: barre shape at the 12th fret, medium. Root on the 5th string, so it pairs well with the 6th-string shape a few frets away.
x-12-12-9-10-x: movable shape at the 9th fret, medium. A small shape for quick changes and a lighter sound.

Playing Asus4 with a capo

With a capo you can skip the harder shapes: capo on the 5th fret and play the open Esus4 shape (0-2-2-2-0-0) or capo on the 7th fret and play the open Dsus4 shape (x-x-0-2-3-3). Everything above the capo is fingered exactly like the open chord.

Moving between Asus4 and its neighbours

Songs rarely hold Asus4 for long. Here's what your hand does on the moves that come up most.

A (resolves down to the third): Asus4 (x-0-2-2-3-0) to A (x-0-2-2-2-0): your index and middle fingers stay put, move the ring finger to the B string, 2nd fret. That makes it one of the quickest changes from this chord. Shared notes: A and E. A on guitar
D (IV in A major): Asus4 (x-0-2-2-3-0) to D (x-x-0-2-3-2): your ring finger stays put, the index finger slides across to the G string at the same fret, the middle finger goes to the high E string, 2nd fret. Listen for A and D, which stay put while the rest moves. D on guitar
E (V in A major): Asus4 (x-0-2-2-3-0) to E (0-2-2-1-0-0): move the index finger to the G string, 1st fret, your middle finger lands on the A string, 2nd fret, the ring finger goes to the D string, 2nd fret. Nothing carries over, so drill it slowly, lifting and landing all fingers at once. Shared note: E. E on guitar

Asus4 lifts the third up to the fourth. Asus4 holds the fourth where the third should be; drop it a half step or whole step into A or Am to resolve. Play it once strummed and once picked to hear the difference.

A short Asus4 drill

Arpeggiate x-0-2-2-3-0 from the lowest string: A, E, A, D, E. Then strum it and listen for the same 5 notes together. Finish by moving between x-0-2-2-3-0 and 5-7-7-7-5-5 to learn two positions of the same chord.

Asus4 in context

Asus4 on piano and ukulele

Switching instruments? Try Asus4 on ukulele or Asus4 on piano, or compare them on the Asus4 chord page.

Related A chords on guitar

Other suspended fourth chords

Asus4 on guitar: questions

What notes are in Asus4 on guitar?

A, D and E. In the x-0-2-2-3-0 shape the strings play A (A string, open), E (D string), A (G string), D (B string) and E (high E string, open), so A and E are doubled.

What's the easiest way to play Asus4 on guitar?

x-0-2-2-3-0, the first shape on this page. It uses open strings, so there is no barre to press.

Is Asus4 a barre chord on guitar?

Not in its common form: x-0-2-2-3-0 needs no barre. The barre versions come later, higher on the neck.

Which string does Asus4 start on?

In the x-0-2-2-3-0 shape the lowest string you play is the A string, open, which is A, the root. Skip the low E string.

Shapes and sound are generated from the notes A, D and E and tested automatically. Updated September 2026.