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Chord · Reference entry

A 7sus4

7sus4 · A – D – E – G · intervals P1-P4-P5-m7

The A 7sus4 chord (A7sus4) contains the notes A, D, E, and G. Its interval formula is R-P4-P5-m7. A dominant 7th with the 3rd replaced by the 4th — modal and gospel, a softer alternative to V7.

At the keyboard

A · D · E · G
Flashcards · Chord
Three questions on A 7sus4
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A7sus4

The A 7sus4 chord is a four-note chord made up of A, D, E, and G. It is built from a root, perfect fourth, perfect fifth, and minor seventh.

Construction

A 7sus4 = Root + Perfect 4th + Perfect 5th + Minor 7th = A · D · E · G
NoteIntervalDegree
ARoot1
DPerfect 4th11
EPerfect 5th5
GMinor 7th♭7

A 7sus4 Inversions

A 7sus4 piano chord, 1st inversion — D, E, G, A
The A 7sus4 chord, 1st inversion, on a piano keyboard.
A 7sus4 piano chord, 2nd inversion — E, G, A, D
The A 7sus4 chord, 2nd inversion, on a piano keyboard.
A 7sus4 piano chord, 3rd inversion — G, A, D, E
The A 7sus4 chord, 3rd inversion, on a piano keyboard.
PositionNotes
Root PositionA – D – E – G
1st InversionD – E – G – A
2nd InversionE – G – A – D
3rd InversionG – A – D – E

Key Signature

A chord has no key signature of its own, but the A 7sus4 is the tonic (I) chord of A Major, whose key signature has 3 sharps (F♯, C♯, G♯).

F♯C♯G♯

Order of sharps

Sharps are added to a key signature in a fixed order. Each new sharp key adds the next sharp on the list.

FCGDAEB

Mnemonic: Father Charles Goes Down And Ends Battle

Chords in the Key of A Major

These are the triads built on each degree of the A major scale:

C1C2C3C4AC5EC6C7C8C♯
IA Major (major)
DegreeNumeralChordQuality
1IA MajorMajor
2iiB MinorMinor
3iiiC♯ MinorMinor
4IVD MajorMajor
5VE MajorMajor
6viF♯ MinorMinor
7vii°G♯ DiminishedDiminished

A 7sus4 — Frequently Asked Questions

What is the A 7sus4 chord on piano?
The A 7sus4 chord contains the notes A – D – E – G. On piano, play these notes together to sound the chord.
What notes are in the A 7sus4 chord?
The A 7sus4 chord (A7sus4) contains 4 notes: A, D, E, G. Formula: R-P4-P5-m7.
How is A7sus4 used in music?
A7sus4 is used in jazz, fusion, and contemporary music to add harmonic color. It appears as a dominant or tonic chord depending on context.
What is the scale degree formula for A7sus4?
A7sus4 uses scale degrees 1-4-5-b7, giving it its distinctive sound.

Related Tools

Chord FinderLook up any chord — see the notes, hear it, and play along.Chord DrillTimed drills to build speed and recognition across all chord types.Practice RoomPlug in a MIDI keyboard and get real-time feedback on every chord and scale.Circle of FifthsVisualize key relationships, relative minors, and key signatures.MIDI MonitorLive MIDI message stream with note names, velocity, and a scrolling staff.

References & Further Reading

The note names, intervals, fingering, and harmony on this chord page are grounded in the following sources. Public domain treatises and scores are linked to their full text; primary data is piano.org's own interval-derived reference dataset — continuously maintained and human-verified, with no fixed publication date.

  1. 1

    Jadassohn, Salomon(1883)

    A Manual of Harmony

    Public domain treatise
  2. 2

    Prout, Ebenezer(1889)

    Harmony: Its Theory and Practice

    Public domain treatise
  3. 3

    Beethoven, Ludwig van(1810)

    Für Elise, WoO 59 (A minor)

    Public domain score
  4. 4

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