E sus4 (Esus4) chord on mandolin

The E sus4 chord (Esus4) is a sus4 chord (a perfect fourth instead of the third), made of three notes: E – A – B.

Dots show:

Basic shapeeasy

Position 4medium

Position 7medium

Position 9easy

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What the Esus4 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 Esus4 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 (E): open (E5)
String 2 (A): fret 2, ring finger (B4)
String 3 (D): fret 2, middle finger (E4)
String 4 (G): fret 2, index finger (A3)

Position 4

String 1 (E): fret 7, little finger (B5)
String 2 (A): fret 7, little finger (E5)
String 3 (D): fret 7, little finger (A4)
String 4 (G): fret 4, index finger (B3)

Position 7

String 1 (E): fret 7, ring finger (B5)
String 2 (A): fret 7, middle finger (E5)
String 3 (D): fret 7, index finger (A4)
String 4 (G): fret 9, little finger (E4)

Tuning: G D A E, like a violin; every note is a pair of strings that you fret together. In the diagram, × means the string is not played, and a circle means an open string.

Which keys is it in?

The Esus4 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)
A minor: Vsus4 (dominant)
B minor: IVsus4 (subdominant)
C major: IIIsus4
G major: VIsus4
D major: IIsus4
F♯ minor: VIIsus4
C♯ minor: IIIsus4

Similar chords and substitutes

If Esus4 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
Em – or to minor

Same notes

Asus2 – the same notes with a different root

Richer versions

E7sus4 – the same chord plus 1 colour note
E11 – the same chord plus 3 colour notes

Frequently asked questions

What notes are in the Esus4 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 Esus4 on mandolin?

The easiest shape above is “Basic shape”, rated easy. We show 4 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 Esus4 chord written?

The chord symbol is Esus4, and its full name is E sus4.