Asus2 and Asus4 on Guitar: A Major

Asus2 and Asus4 are the two suspended versions of A major. Like the D suspensions, they're one-finger variations on the standard shape. They show up in "Wonderwall" as A7sus4, in "Free Fallin'", and in countless pop songs that wanted A to feel less stable.

A suspended chord replaces the 3rd (the note that determines major or minor) with either the 2nd or the 4th. The result hangs in the air, waiting to resolve.

Asus2 Fingering

• 1st string (high E): open
• 2nd string (B): open
• 3rd string (G): 2nd fret, middle finger
• 4th string (D): 2nd fret, index finger
• 5th string (A): open
• 6th string (low E): do not play

Strum strings 1 through 5. Same A major shape but with the ring finger lifted off the B string. The open B is the suspended 2nd. The chord sounds bright and unresolved.

Asus4 Fingering

• 1st string (high E): open
• 2nd string (B): 3rd fret, pinky
• 3rd string (G): 2nd fret, ring finger
• 4th string (D): 2nd fret, middle finger
• 5th string (A): open
• 6th string (low E): do not play

Strum strings 1 through 5. A major shape with the pinky added on the 3rd fret of the B string. The pinky raises the C sharp to D, which is the suspended 4th. The chord wants to resolve back to A.

The A-Asus4-Asus2 Hammer-On

The same trick that works on D works on A. Hold A. Add the pinky on the 3rd fret of the B string (Asus4). Lift the pinky and the ring finger off the 2nd fret of the B string (Asus2). Replace them (A). Repeat.

Tom Petty built "Free Fallin'" around this exact move. Listen to the intro: A, Asus4, A, Asus2. Over and over. Same chord pulse but the suspension keeps it from sounding stale.

A7sus4: The Wonderwall Cousin

The Wonderwall A7sus4 is a related chord that combines a suspended 4th with a dominant 7th.

• 1st string (high E): open
• 2nd string (B): 3rd fret, pinky
• 3rd string (G): 2nd fret, middle finger... actually wait

The actual A7sus4 used in Wonderwall (with capo on the 2nd fret):

• 1st string (high E): 3rd fret, pinky
• 2nd string (B): 3rd fret, ring
• 3rd string (G): open
• 4th string (D): open
• 5th string (A): open

This is a different shape entirely from regular Asus4. It's a 5-string chord with the pinky and ring on the 1st and 2nd strings at the 3rd fret, and three open strings filling in the rest.

Songs That Use A Suspensions

• "Free Fallin'" by Tom Petty.
• "Wonderwall" uses A7sus4.
• "Pinball Wizard" by The Who has a famous Asus4 ringing through the verse.
• "Summer of '69" by Bryan Adams uses Asus4 in the verse.

FAQ: Asus2 and Asus4 Questions

What's the difference between Asus2 and Asus4?

The added note. Asus2 has B (the 2nd) where the 3rd would be. Asus4 has D (the 4th) where the 3rd would be. They're different flavors of suspension.

Is Asus4 the same as A7sus4?

No. Asus4 has the suspended 4th but no 7th. A7sus4 has both. The 7th adds a dominant flavor.

Why do songs use suspensions on A so often?

Because the open A string and the open B string give you two suspensions for free with a small finger move. The A-Asus4 and A-Asus2 hammer-ons are mechanically simple and rhythmically musical.

What chord follows Asus4 most often?

A. The whole point of a suspension is to resolve back to the home chord. Asus4 wants to fall back to A.

Can I use the suspension trick in any song?

Whenever the song lingers on A or D for a while, yes. In fast progressions where each chord lasts only a beat or two, the suspension trick has no time to breathe.