E♭ sus4 (E♭sus4) chord on banjo

Looking for the E♭sus4 chord on banjo? It is a sus4 chord (a perfect fourth instead of the third), made of three notes: E♭ – A♭ – B♭. The same chord with a different spelling: D♯ sus4 (D♯sus4).

Dots show:

Basic shapemedium

Position 6medium

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What the E♭sus4 chord sounds like

In a sus4 chord a perfect fourth replaces the third. The fourth is 'suspended' and usually resolves down to the third (sus4 → major), a classic move at cadences.

Notes of the E♭sus4 chord

Degree	Note	Interval from the root
1	E♭	root
4	A♭	perfect fourth (5 semitones)
5	B♭	perfect fifth (7 semitones)

How to play it – with fingering

Basic shape

String 1 (D): fret 8, ring finger (B♭4)
String 2 (B): fret 9, little finger (A♭4)
String 3 (G): fret 8, middle finger (E♭4)
String 4 (D): fret 8, index finger (B♭3)

Position 6

String 1 (D): fret 6, index finger (A♭4)
String 2 (B): fret 9, little finger (A♭4)
String 3 (G): fret 8, ring finger (E♭4)
String 4 (D): fret 8, ring finger (B♭3)

Five-string banjo in open G tuning (g D G B D). The diagram shows the four long strings; the short 5th string (g) rings open – avoid it when G is not in the chord. In the diagram, × means the string is not played, and a circle means an open string.

Which keys is it in?

The E♭sus4 chord is built from the notes of these keys (for minor keys, both the natural and the harmonic minor are considered):

E♭ major: Isus4 (tonic)
E♭ minor: Isus4 (tonic)
A♭ major: Vsus4 (dominant)
B♭ minor: IVsus4 (subdominant)
G♭ major: VIsus4
D♭ major: IIsus4
F minor: VIIsus4
C minor: IIIsus4

Similar chords and substitutes

If E♭sus4 is too hard, or you want a different colour in the same spot, these chords are worth a try.

Substitutes (by function)

E♭ – resolves the suspension to major
E♭m – or to minor

Same notes

A♭sus2 – the same notes with a different root

Richer versions

E♭7sus4 – the same chord plus 1 colour note
E♭11 – the same chord plus 3 colour notes

Frequently asked questions

What notes are in the E♭sus4 chord?

E♭, A♭, B♭. The root is E♭; the intervals of the other notes from the root: perfect fourth, perfect fifth.

What is the easiest way to play E♭sus4 on banjo?

The easiest shape above is “Basic shape”. We show 2 shapes, from open and easy versions to movable barre shapes higher up the neck.

How do I read the chord diagram?

Strings run from the lowest (left) to the highest (right) – tick “Left-handed” to mirror it. Rows are frets; a number at the side shows the starting fret. Dots are fingers (1 index, 2 middle, 3 ring, 4 little), a long bar is a barre, × means don't play that string and ○ means play it open.

How is the E♭sus4 chord written?

The chord symbol is E♭sus4 (also written Ebsus4), and its full name is E♭ sus4.