Suspension and release
in A♭ major
Piano chord · also written G♯sus4
A♭ Sus4 Piano Chord (A♭sus4)
The A♭ Sus4 chord on piano is made of the notes A♭, D♭ and E♭. Suspended and unresolved. The 3rd is replaced by the 4th.
Tap any key to hear it.
What notes are in A♭ Sus4?
3 notes, built 1 – 4 – 5 up from A♭.
- Notes
- A♭ – D♭ – E♭
- Formula
- 1 – 4 – 5
- Semitones from the root
- 0 – 5 – 7
- Symbol
- A♭sus4
- Same keys as
- G♯sus4 (G♯ – C♯ – D♯)
- Chord type
- Suspended 4th, 3 notes
How to play A♭ Sus4 on piano
- Right hand: A♭ (1), D♭ (3), E♭ (5). Fingers 1 – 3 – 5, thumb on A♭.
- Left hand: A♭ (5), D♭ (3), E♭ (1). Fingers 5 – 3 – 1, little finger on A♭.
Fingers are numbered 1 (thumb) to 5 (little finger) on both hands.
A♭ Sus4 inversions
Each inversion puts a different note of the chord in the bass. Written as a slash chord: A♭sus4/D♭, A♭sus4/E♭.
Can you find A♭ Sus4?
Tap the notes on the keyboard, then check. Six chords, starting with this one.
1 / 6 Tap the notes of A♭ Sus4 (A♭sus4)
Score 0
Any octave, any order. Each key you tap plays.
A♭ Sus4 chord FAQ
What notes are in the A♭ Sus4 chord?
A♭ Sus4 (A♭sus4) has 3 notes: A♭, D♭ and E♭. Its formula is 1 – 4 – 5, counted up from A♭.
How do you play A♭ Sus4 on the piano?
Put your right thumb on A♭ and play A♭, D♭ and E♭ with fingers 1 – 3 – 5. With the left hand, use fingers 5 – 3 – 1, little finger on A♭.
Is A♭ Sus4 the same as G♯ Sus4?
On the piano, yes: G♯sus4 (G♯, C♯, D♯) uses exactly the same keys as A♭sus4 (A♭, D♭, E♭). Which name is used depends on the key of the piece; A♭sus4 is the more common spelling.
What are the inversions of A♭ Sus4?
1st inversion: D♭, E♭, A♭ (A♭sus4/D♭). 2nd inversion: E♭, A♭, D♭ (A♭sus4/E♭).