E suspended fourth chord (Esus4) on piano
The E suspended fourth chord (Esus4) on piano has 3 notes: E, A, and B (E, A, B). On the keyboard below, the root (E) has the strongest color; each key shows the note name and the degree.
- Notes
- EAB
- Formula
- 145
How to play Esus4 on piano
Root position · From low to high: E A B
The small dot marks middle C (C4). Tap a key to hear the note.
Esus4 chord inversions
Inverting a chord means putting another of its notes in the bass (the lowest key) without changing the notes. Inversions shorten the way your hand travels from one chord to the next and slightly change the color of the sound.
-
1st inversion (Esus4/A)
Esus4/A: A (4) in the bass
From low to high: A B E
-
2nd inversion (Esus4/B)
Esus4/B: B (5) in the bass
From low to high: B E A
Notes and intervals of Esus4
Esus4 (E suspended fourth) is built from 3 notes. Each one fills a degree of the chord:
- E · 1 · root
- A · 4 · perfect fourth
- B · 5 · perfect fifth
About the suspended fourth chord
Swaps the third for the fourth, which wants to fall back to the third: a hanging sound that begs for resolution (Dsus4 → D). A classic at the end of phrases, in 70s rock and in guitar fills in pop and country.
Other E chords
- E
- Em
- E7
- E7M
- Em7
- Em7(b5)
- E°
- E°7
- E+
- Esus2
- Esus4
- E7sus4
- E5
- Eadd9
- E6
- Em6
- E9
- Em(add9)
- Em9
- E7M(9)
- Em(7M)
- E7M(#5)
- E7(b9)
- E6(9)
- Em6(9)
- E11
- Em11
- E13
- Em13
- E7(#9)
- E7(#11)
- E7(b13)
- E7(#5)
- E7M(#11)
- E9sus4
Suspended fourth: other roots
Frequently asked questions
What are the notes of the Esus4 chord on piano?
Esus4 (E suspended fourth) has the notes E, A, B. The formula is 1 · 4 · 5: root, perfect fourth, perfect fifth.
How do you play Esus4 on piano?
Find the E key and add the other notes above it: E, A, B. Play them all together.
What are the inversions of Esus4?
1st inversion (Esus4/A): A B E; 2nd inversion (Esus4/B): B E A.
What does Esus4 mean?
Esus4 is the chord symbol for E suspended fourth. Swaps the third for the fourth, which wants to fall back to the third: a hanging sound that begs for resolution (Dsus4 → D). A classic at the end of phrases, in 70s rock and in guitar fills in pop and country.
Is the Esus4 chord the same on piano and keyboard?
Yes. The notes and inversions are the same on any keyboard instrument: acoustic piano, digital piano, keyboard, organ or synthesizer.