A Sus4 Triads on Guitar: Every Inversion on Every String Set
A A sus4 triad is A, D and E (1 4 5). It has three arrangements, root position, first inversion and second inversion, and each can be played on four groups of three strings: all twelve shapes are below.
Keys
Triads — Asus4
Root position
First inversion
Second inversion
All inversions
The notes of Asus4
A sus4 is a perfect fourth (five frets) and then a major second, with no third at all. Root position puts A at the bottom (A, D and E); first inversion puts D at the bottom (D, E and A); second inversion puts E at the bottom (E, A and D).
Asus4 replaces the third with the fourth, D. With no third it is neither major nor minor; the fourth wants to fall a semitone or a tone to the third, which is why Asus4 so often resolves to A or Am.
Asus4 on every string set
On the low E, A and D strings: root position at frets 2–5, first inversion at frets 7–10 and second inversion at fret 0.
On the A, D and G strings: root position at frets 0–9, first inversion at frets 2–5 and second inversion at fret 7.
On the D, G and B strings: root position at frets 5–7, first inversion at frets 0–10 and second inversion at frets 2–3.
On the G, B and high e strings: root position at frets 0–3, first inversion at frets 5–7 and second inversion at frets 9–10.
Where the inversions sit in the CAGED shapes
The practice pad above shows Asus4's triads inside each CAGED shape. Use the R, 2, 3 and V switches to see each arrangement:
- Root position: C shape (fret 9), A shape (fret 12), G shape (fret 2) and E shape (fret 5).
- First inversion: C shape (fret 9), G shape (fret 2) and E shape (fret 5).
- Second inversion: C shape (fret 9), A shape (fret 2) and E shape (fret 7).
Where Asus4 appears
Asus4 isn't built on the scale's thirds, so it isn't a diatonic chord in the usual sense, but all three of its notes fit 12 keys: C major (on the 6th degree), D major (on the 5th degree), F major (on the 3rd degree), G major (on the 2nd degree) and A major (on the 1st degree), and D minor (5th), E minor (4th), F minor (3rd), A minor (1st) and B minor (7th).
Of those, C major, D major, G major, A major, D minor, E minor, A minor, D harmonic minor and A harmonic minor are keys guitarists play in constantly, because their open strings ring with the scale, so Asus4 turns up often in songs.
Open strings and capo options for Asus4
Four open strings are part of Asus4: the low E string (the fifth), the A string (root), the D string (the third) and the high e string (the fifth). Because the root is among them, you can let it drone under any of the shapes.
Closely related chords
A sus chord is a pause before major or minor: Asus4 keeps the root and fifth and moves the third, so its closest chords share the same root.
Asus4 triad FAQs
What notes are in a A sus4 triad?
A, D and E. The formula is 1 4 5.
What is the first inversion of Asus4?
D, E and A, with D in the bass. On the G, B and high e strings it sits at fret 7, fret 5 and fret 5.
Is Asus4 major or minor?
Neither. It has no third: the fourth, D, takes its place, which is why it sounds open and unresolved.
Related
Learn more
How to use guitar triads explains inversions and how to use them in rhythm parts and solos, and triads on all string sets goes through each set in turn. The triad library has every chord.