The A♭ Suspended 4th chord is a three-note chord made up of A♭, D♭, and E♭. It is built from a root, perfect fourth, and perfect fifth.
Construction
A♭ Suspended 4th = Root + Perfect 4th + Perfect 5th = A♭ · D♭ · E♭
| Note | Interval | Degree |
|---|---|---|
| A♭ | Root | 1 |
| D♭ | Perfect 4th | 4 |
| E♭ | Perfect 5th | 5 |
A♭ Suspended 4th Inversions
| Position | Notes |
|---|---|
| Root Position | A♭ – D♭ – E♭ |
| 1st Inversion | D♭ – E♭ – A♭ |
| 2nd Inversion | E♭ – A♭ – D♭ |
Key Signature
A Suspended 4th chord is built from symmetrical or ambiguous intervals, so it doesn’t belong to a single key and has no key signature of its own.
Same Notes, Other Names
The notes A♭ – D♭ – E♭ aren’t exclusive to this chord. Depending on which note is the bass and how the chord functions, the same pitches also spell:
A♭ Suspended 4th — Frequently Asked Questions
What is the A♭ Suspended 4th chord on piano?
The A♭ Suspended 4th chord contains the notes A♭ – D♭ – E♭. On piano, play these notes together to sound the chord.
What notes are in the Ab Suspended 4th chord?
The Ab Suspended 4th chord (Absus4) contains: Ab (root), Db (perfect fourth), and Eb (perfect fifth). The perfect fourth replaces the third, creating a strong upward pull toward resolution — the 4th degree (Db) strongly wants to resolve down to the major third.
How does Ab Suspended 4th differ from Absus2?
Both replace the third, but Absus2 uses the 2nd degree (giving an airy, neutral feel) while Ab Suspended 4th uses the 4th degree (Db), which creates stronger tension. The sus4 chord has a more urgent, directional pull toward resolution than sus2.
What does "sus4" resolve to?
The 4th degree (Db) in a sus4 chord typically resolves down by one semitone to the major 3rd of the chord — this is the classical "suspension resolution." The movement Db → (major 3rd) is one of the most satisfying motions in Western harmony and drives the resolution from Absus4 → Ab Major.
How is Ab Suspended 4th used in music?
Sus4 chords appear in nearly every genre. They create anticipation before resolution to a major chord, work as dramatic openings (Pinball Wizard, Hard Day's Night), and add harmonic colour in pop and classical music. The Ab Suspended 4th is especially common as a pre-dominant chord that builds tension before the final chord of a phrase.
What songs use suspended 4th chords?
A Hard Day's Night (Beatles) opens with a sus4 chord. Pinball Wizard (The Who) uses sus4 throughout. Feelin' Alright (Traffic), Behind Blue Eyes (The Who), and many hymns use sus4 chords for their characteristic build-and-release quality.
Can I use Ab Suspended 4th before Ab Major?
Yes — Absus4 → Ab Major is one of the most satisfying resolutions in music. The fourth degree (Db) resolves down to the major third, while the root and fifth stay constant. This V–I style resolution works in any tempo and style, from gospel to pop to classical.