A♭ sus4 (A♭sus4) chord on piano
Looking for the A♭sus4 chord on piano? It is a sus4 chord (a perfect fourth instead of the third), made of three notes: A♭ – D♭ – E♭. The same chord with a different spelling: G♯ sus4 (G♯sus4).
Root position: A♭3 – D♭4 – E♭4
What the A♭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 A♭sus4 chord
| Degree | Note | Interval from the root |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | A♭ | root |
| 4 | D♭ | perfect fourth (5 semitones) |
| 5 | E♭ | perfect fifth (7 semitones) |
Root position and inversions
An inversion uses the same notes, with a different note at the bottom. When you change chords, choosing the nearest inversion keeps your hand almost still.
Root position
A♭3 – D♭4 – E♭4
1st inversion
D♭4 – E♭4 – A♭4
2nd inversion
E♭4 – A♭4 – D♭5
Which keys is it in?
The A♭sus4 chord is built from the notes of these keys (for minor keys, both the natural and the harmonic minor are considered):
- A♭ major: Isus4 (tonic)
- D♭ major: Vsus4 (dominant)
- E♭ minor: IVsus4 (subdominant)
- G♭ major: IIsus4
- B♭ minor: VIIsus4
- F minor: IIIsus4
Similar chords and substitutes
If A♭sus4 is too hard, or you want a different colour in the same spot, these chords are worth a try.
Same notes
- C♯sus2 – the same notes with a different root
Frequently asked questions
What notes are in the A♭sus4 chord?
A♭, D♭, E♭. The root is A♭; the intervals of the other notes from the root: perfect fourth, perfect fifth.
How do I play the A♭sus4 chord on piano?
In root position, the right hand usually plays with fingers 1, 3 and 5 (thumb, middle finger, little finger); four-note chords with fingers 1, 2, 3 and 5. The left hand mirrors this: 5, 3, 1. In an inversion the top or bottom note moves to the other side, so your hand moves less when you change chords.
How is the A♭sus4 chord written?
The chord symbol is A♭sus4 (also written Absus4), and its full name is A♭ sus4.
Related chords
The same chord on another instrument:
A♭sus4 on guitarA♭sus4 on ukuleleA♭sus4 on mandolinA♭sus4 on banjo
Other A♭ chords on piano:
A♭A♭mA♭7A♭maj7A♭m7A♭sus2A♭7sus4A♭6A♭m6A♭add9A♭dimA♭augA♭dim7A♭m7b5A♭9A♭m9A♭maj9A♭11A♭13
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