Ebsus4 Chord (Eb suspended 4th) on Guitar
Ebsus4 (Eb suspended 4th) is made of the notes Eb – Ab – Bb. The easiest guitar fingering is x66896 (low E to high e; x = muted, 0 = open). It uses a barre, so it is more demanding than an open chord. Expect it to take some practice to sound clean.
Main shape
Alternative shape
How to play Ebsus4
- Press the 5th string (A) at fret 6 (Eb).
- Press the 4th string (D) at fret 6 (Ab).
- Press the 3rd string (G) at fret 8 (Eb).
- Press the 2nd string (B) at fret 9 (Ab).
- Press the 1st string (high e) at fret 6 (Bb).
- Do not play the 6th string (low E).
| String | Fret | Note | Role |
|---|---|---|---|
| 6th string (low E) | x (mute) | - | |
| 5th string (A) | 6 | Eb | R |
| 4th string (D) | 6 | Ab | 4 |
| 3rd string (G) | 8 | Eb | R |
| 2nd string (B) | 9 | Ab | 4 |
| 1st string (high e) | 6 | Bb | 5 |
What is a Eb suspended 4th chord?
A suspended 4th chord replaces the third with the fourth note of the scale.
Notes and formula. Ebsus4 contains Eb, Ab, Bb. Counted from the root Eb, that is R (root), 4 (perfect 4th), 5 (perfect 5th). It is also written D#sus4; the two names sound identical and the name used depends on the key of the song.
Sound. Tense and expectant. The fourth wants to fall back to the third, so the chord begs to resolve.
Where it is used. A staple of rock and pop, from classic riffs to open-chord decorations. It is often played right before the major chord of the same name.
Tips for playing Ebsus4
Play the major chord, then add or move one finger to turn it into sus4 and back. This mini-movement is one of the most useful tricks on guitar.
Common mistake: Holding sus4 forever. It works best as a passing colour, resolving to major or minor.
Scales to play over Ebsus4
Related chords
Ebsus4 chord FAQ
What notes are in a Ebsus4 chord?
Ebsus4 (Eb suspended 4th) contains the notes Eb, Ab, Bb. The formula is R–4–5 relative to the root Eb.
How do you play Ebsus4 on guitar?
The most common shape for Ebsus4 is x66896, read from the low E string to the high e string (x = muted, 0 = open, numbers = frets). It uses a barre, so it is more demanding than an open chord. Expect it to take some practice to sound clean.
Is Ebsus4 an easy guitar chord?
It is rated intermediate. It uses a barre, so it is more demanding than an open chord. Expect it to take some practice to sound clean.
Is Ebsus4 the same as D#sus4?
Yes. Eb and D# are enharmonic: they are the same pitch with different names, so Ebsus4 and D#sus4 sound identical on guitar. The name used depends on the key of the song.
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