Skip to content
Home » SUSPENDED CHORDS » sus4 » Absus4 Piano Chord – Charts, Harmony and Music Theory

Absus4 Piano Chord

    Piano Diagram of Absus4 in Root Position

    Absus4 Chord - Root Position - Piano Diagram

    The Ab suspended fourth (Absus4) chord consists of three notes: Ab, Db, and Eb. It’s called a “suspended fourth” chord because the third note of the chord is replaced with a perfect fourth. To play the Absus4 chord on a piano, replace the third note (C) of an Ab major chord with the fourth note (Db) from the root. Further reading will give you a better understanding of the music theory principles behind this essential chord.

     

    Structure of Absus4

    Notes
    Ab, Db, Eb

    Intervals
    R, 4, 5

     

    Fingers Position

     

    Left Hand
    4, 2, 1

    5, 2, 1

    Right Hand
    1, 3, 4

    1, 2, 3

     

    Absus4 Chord Inversions

     

    The Absus4 chord has a total of 2 inversions:

    Root Position: Ab Db Eb
    1st Inversion: Db Eb Ab
    2nd Inversion: Eb Ab Db

     Piano Keyboard Diagrams

    Absus4 Chord Equivalencies

    An interesting detail about sus4 chords is that their 1st inversion results in a sus2 chord. To clarify, when the 4th note of a sus4 chord becomes the root note, it transforms into a sus2 chord.

    1st Inversion of Absus4 = Dbsus2

    For instance, if we take the Absus4 chord with the notes Ab, Db, and Eb and rearrange them so that Db becomes the root note, we end up with a Dbsus2 chord with the notes Db, Eb, and Ab. Therefore, the 1st inversion of Absus4 is equivalent to Dbsus2.

    Page Contents

    Music Theory and Harmony of Absus4

     

    What are Suspended  Chords?

    Suspended chords are a type of chord in which the third note is replaced by either a major second or a perfect fourth. These resulting chords are called suspended second (sus2) or suspended fourth (sus4) chords, respectively. These chords create a unique and sometimes unresolved sound that can add tension and interest to a musical composition.

    Suspended chords have a distinct sound that sets them apart from major and minor chords. They are called suspended chords because they temporarily suspend the listener’s expectation of hearing a major or minor stable chord. Instead, they feature a perfect fourth or major second interval in place of the third. Due to their “neutral nature,” suspended chords can sometimes be used as substitutes for both major and minor chords.

     

    Building the Absus4 Chord: Different Approaches

    Starting from the Ab major Scale

    To build a sus4 chord, you can use the major scale as a guide and combine a root note, a perfect 4th interval, and a perfect 5th interval.

     

    Ab Major Diatonic Scale up to octave

    Ab Major Scale

     

    Ab Major Diatonic Scale up to 13th - Keyless Notation

    Keyless notation of Ab Major scale.

     

    To create an Absus4 chord, apply the formula R, 4, 5 in the following manner:

    1. Begin with the Root note, which is Ab.
    2. Select the 4th interval, which is Db, and add it to the chord.
    3. Finally, add the 5th interval, which is Eb.

    By following this simple formula, you can create a sus4 chord from any major scale.

     

    by Combining Intervals

    One method to create a suspended 4th chord is by combining two specific intervals – a perfect 4th, and a major 2nd.

    4 + 2 = sus4 Chords

    To illustrate, let’s use the Absus4 chord as an example. By examining the intervals between the notes, we can see that Ab-Db forms a perfect 4th interval, and Db-Eb creates a major second interval.

     

    How to Use Absus4 in a Chord Progression

     

    Suspended chords have a unique quality that sets them apart from major and minor chords. They are considered neither major nor minor, which makes them a great tool for creating tension and suspense in a musical composition before resolving to a stable major or minor chord.

    In the following tables, you will find the harmonization of the major and relative natural minor scales for keys that include Ab major and Ab minor chords in various positions and different harmonic roles.

    Absus4 as Substitute of Ab Maj Chords

    In the key of Eb Major and C minor, the 4th note Db can clash with the C and the D notes present in those keys. While this doesn’t prevent you from using the Absus4 chord in those positions, it’s important to be aware that it can create a strong dissonance with the melody or other elements of the composition.

    on Major Scales

    Major Scales I ii iii IV V vi vii
    Ab Ab Maj7 ⇒ Absus4 Bb min7 C min7 Db Maj7 Eb Maj7 F min7 Gm7b5
    Eb Eb Maj7 F min7 G min7 Ab Maj7 ⇒ Absus4 Bb Maj7 C min7 Dm7b5
    Db Db Maj7 Eb min7 F min7 Gb Maj7 Ab7 ⇒ Absus4 Bb min7 Cm7b5
    • Tonic chord in Ab Major
    • Non Diatonic Subdominant chord in Eb Major
    • Dominant chord in Db Major

     

    on Natural minor Scales

    Minor Scales i ii III iv v VI VII
    F F min7 Gm7b5 Ab Maj7 ⇒ Absus4 Bb min7 C min7 Db Maj7 Eb7
    C C min7 Dm7b5 Eb Maj7 F min7 G min7 Ab Maj7 ⇒ Absus4 Bb7
    Bb Bb min7 Cm7b5 Db Maj7 Eb min7 F min7 Gb Maj7 Ab7 ⇒ Absus4
    • Mediant chord in F minor
    • Non Diatonic Submediant chord in C minor
    • Leading tone chord in Bb minor

     

    Absus4 as Substitute of Ab min Chords

    While the Absus4 chord can be used as a substitute or variation for Ab minor 7th chords, it’s important to note that an Ab7sus4 chord would be a better fit due to the presence of the minor 7th.

    on Major Scales

    Major Scales I ii iii IV V vi vii
    Gb Gb Maj7 Ab min7 ⇒ Absus4 Bb min7 Cb Maj7 Db7 Eb min7 Fm7b5
    Fb = E E Maj7 F# min7 G# min7 ⇒ G#sus4 = Absus4 A Maj7 B7 C# min7 D#m7b5
    Cb = B B Maj7 C# min7 D# min7 E Maj7 F#7 G# min7 ⇒ G#sus4 = Absus4 A#m7b5
    • Supertonic chord in Gb Major
    • Mediant chord in E Major as G#sus4
    • Submediant chord in B Major as G#sus4

     

    on Natural minor Scales

    Minor Scales i ii III iv v VI VII
    Ab Ab min7 ⇒ Absus4 Bbm7b5 Cb Maj7 Db min7 Eb min7 Fb Maj7 Gb7
    Eb Eb min7 Fm7b5 Gb Maj7 Ab min7 ⇒ Absus4 Bb min7 Cb Maj7 Db7
    Db = C# C# min7 D#m7b5 E Maj7 F# min7 G# min7 ⇒ G#sus4 = Absus4 A Maj7 B7
    • Tonic chord in Ab minor
    • Subdominant chord in Eb minor
    • Dominant chord in C# minor as G#sus4

     

    Absus4 Chord Function in Major and Minor Keys

    Understanding Scale Degrees

    When creating chords from a scale, each note in the scale is assigned a degree, which reflects its position in the scale. In the diatonic major scale, there are seven degrees, and each degree has a unique role in the overall harmony of the scale.

    1. The first degree of the scale is called the Tonic, and it serves as the foundation for the scale. It provides a stable tonal center and is often referred to as the “home base” of the music.
    2. The second degree of the scale is called the Supertonic. It’s typically used as a passing note between the tonic and other scale degrees, and it adds a sense of movement to the melody or harmony.
    3. The third degree of the scale is called the Mediant. It’s located halfway between the tonic and dominant notes and helps to establish whether the scale is major or minor.
    4. The fourth degree of the scale is called the Subdominant. It’s often used as a complementary harmony to the dominant and adds a sense of tension and resolution to the music.
    5. The fifth degree of the scale is called the Dominant. It generates tension and a sense of expectation, and it’s typically resolved by returning to the tonic.
    6. The sixth degree of the scale is called the Submediant. It’s often utilized as a transition between the dominant and tonic, and it provides a sense of stability and restfulness to the music.
    7. The seventh degree of the scale is called the Leading tone. It’s located one half step below the tonic and produces a strong sense of tension and a desire to resolve to the tonic. It’s often used to create a sense of resolution and finality in the melody or harmony.

    Understanding the scale degrees is important for creating chords and understanding how they relate harmonically to each other.

     

    Absus4 in Ab Major

    The Absus4 chord can be used along with the Ab Maj7 chord (or any other kind of Ab major chord) to add color on the first degree. The Absus4 chord can suspend the Ab Major chord or the subsequent chord.

    I ii iii IV V vi vii
    Ab Maj7 Bb min7 C min7 Db Maj7 Eb7 F min7 Gm7b5

     

    Absus4 Chord Progressions as I degree
    ii V I
    ii V I
    Bb min7 Eb7 Absus4 | Ab Maj7
    I IV V
    I IV V
    Absus4 | Ab Maj7 Db Maj7 Eb7

     

     I V vi IV
    I V vi IV
    Absus4 | Ab Maj7 Eb7 F min7 Db Maj7

     

    I IV vi V
    I IV vi V
    Absus4 | Ab Maj7 Db Maj7 F min7 Eb7

     

    Absus4 in Eb Major (Non Diatonic)

    Let’s explore the sound of the Absus4 chord in the key of Eb major, which can be used as a substitute or variation of the Ab Maj7 chord on the IV degree. However, it’s important to note that the Absus4 contains a Db which clashes with the C or the D present in this key. Since Absus4 is not diatonic in this key, it may sound unusual or foreign to the overall tonality.

    I ii iii IV V vi vii
    Eb Maj7 Fm7b5 G min7 Ab Maj7 Bb7 C min7 Dm7b5

     

    Absus4 Chord Progressions as IV degree
    I IV V
    I IV V
    Eb Maj7 Absus4 | Ab Maj7 Bb7

     

     I V vi IV
    I V vi IV
    Eb Maj7 Bb7 C min7 Absus4 | Ab Maj7

     

    I IV vi V
    I IV vi V
    Eb Maj7 Absus4 | Ab Maj7 C min7 Bb7

     

    Absus4 in Db Major

    In the key of Db Major, the fifth degree it features an Ab7 chord. Adding an Absus4 chord can create tension and expectation, leading to a resolution on the dominant chord. Note that using an Ab7sus4 chord instead of an Absus4 would be a better option in this case.

    I ii iii IV V vi vii
    Db Maj7 Eb min7 F min7 Gb Maj7 Ab7 Bb min7 Cm7b5

     

    Absus4 as V degree – Chord Progressions
    ii V I
    ii V I
    Eb min7 Absus4 | Ab7 Db Maj7
    I IV V
    I IV V
    Db Maj7 Gb Maj7 Absus4 | Ab7

     

     I V vi IV
    I V vi IV
    Db Maj7 Absus4 | Ab7 Bb min7 Gb Maj7

     

    I IV vi V
    I IV vi V
    Db Maj7 Gb Maj7 Bb min7 Absus4 | Ab7

     

     I IV ii V iii vi ii V
    I IV ii V iii vi ii V
    Db Maj7 Gb Maj7 Eb min7 Absus4 | Ab7 F min7 Bb min7 Eb min7 Absus4 | Ab7

     

    Absus4 in F Minor

    Try experimenting with chord progressions featuring an AbMaj7 on the III degree of the F minor scale, and try playing an Absus4 before or after the AbMaj7 to see how it sounds.

    i ii III iv v VI VII
    F min7 Gm7b5 Ab Maj7 Bb min7 C min7 Db Maj7 Eb7

     

    Absus4 Chord Progressions as III degree
    i III
    i III
    F min7 Absus4 | Ab Maj7

     

    i III VII VI
    i III VII VI
    F min7 Absus4 | Ab Maj7 Eb7 Db Maj7

     

    i III iv v
    i III iv v
    F min7 Absus4 | Ab Maj7 Bb min7 C min7

     

    i III ii v
    i III ii v
    F min7 Absus4 | Ab Maj7 Gm7b5 C min7

     

    I iii vi V
    i III VI iv
    F min7 Absus4 | Ab Maj7 Db Maj7 Bb min7

     

    Circle Progression
    i iv VII III VI ii V7 i
    F min7 Bb min7 Eb7 Absus4 | Ab Maj7 Db Maj7 Gm7b5 C7 F min7

     

    Absus4 in C Minor (Non Diatonic)

    In the key of C minor, the VI degree chord is an Ab major chord. To add some variation, you can use an Absus4 chord as a substitution or variation of this chord. However, keep in mind that the Absus4 chord is non-diatonic in this key because it contains a Db while the C minor scale contains a C and a D. Therefore, it’s generally recommended to avoid using the Absus4 chord in this key, but feel free to experiment and see how it sounds to your ears.

    i ii III iv v VI VII
    C min7 Dm7b5 Eb Maj7 F min7 G min7 Ab Maj7 Bb7

     

    Absus4 Chord Progressions as VI degree
    i VI VII
    i VI VII
    C min7 Absus4 | Ab Maj7 Bb7

     

    i v VI VII
    i v VI VII
    C min7 G min7 Absus4 | Ab Maj7 Bb7

     

    i III VII VI
    i III VII VI
    C min7 Eb Maj7 Bb7 Absus4 | Ab Maj7

     

    Circle Progression
    i iv VII III VI ii V7 i
    C min7 F min7 Bb7 Eb Maj7 Absus4 | Ab Maj7 Dm7b5 G7 C min7

     

    Absus4 in Bb Minor

    Let’s explore the use of Absus4 as a leading tone chord in the key of Bb minor. As the leading tone chord, Absus4 can create tension and lead the listener’s ear to the tonic chord, which is Bb minor in this case.

    i ii III iv v VI VII
    Bb min7 Cm7b5 Db Maj7 Eb min7 F min7 Gb Maj7 Ab7

     

    Absus4 as VII degree – Chord Progressions
    i VI VII
    i V VII
    Bb min7 F min7 Absus4 | Ab7

     

    i v VI VII
    i v VI VII
    Bb min7 F min7 Gb Maj7 Ab7 | Absus4

     

    i III VII VI
    i III VII VI
    Bb min7 Db Maj7 Absus4 | Ab7 Gb Maj7

     

    Circle Progression
    i iv VII III VI ii V7 i
    Bb min7 Eb min7 Absus4 | Ab7 Db Maj7 Gb Maj7 Cm7b5 F7 Bb min7

     

    Absus4 in Gb Major

    In the key of Gb Major, the supertonic chord is an Ab minor. However, we can use an Absus4 chord as a variation or substitution for the Abm chord to add some tonal color and interest to a chord progression.

    I ii iii IV V vi vii
    Gb Maj7 Ab min7 Bb min7 Cb Maj7 Db7 Eb min7 Fm7b5

     

    Absus4 Chord Progressions as ii degree
    ii V I
    ii V I
    Absus4 | Ab min7 Db7 Gb Maj7

     

    I IV ii V iii vi ii V
    I IV ii V iii vi ii V
    Gb Maj7 Cb Maj7 Absus4 | Ab min7 Db7 Bb min7 Eb min7 Abmin7 | Absus4 Db7

     

    Absus4 in Fb Major

    Check G#sus4 in E Major

     

    Absus4 in Cb Major

    Check G#sus4 in B Major

     

    Absus4 in Ab Minor

    When using the Absus4 chord in the key of Ab minor, can be a great variation for the traditional Abm chord. It creates a more ambiguous sound due to its suspended nature, and it can be used to add tension or to create a unique texture in a chord progression.

    i ii III iv v VI VII
    Ab min7 Bb m7b5 Cb Maj7 Db min7 Eb min7 Fb Maj7 Gb7

     

    Absus4 Chord Progressions as i degree
    i VI VII
    i VI VII
    Absus4 | Ab min7 Fb Maj7 Gb7

     

    Modulation
    isus4 i isus2 i
    Absus4

    Ab (Eb, Ab, Db)

    		 Ab min

    Ab (Eb, Ab, B)

    		 Absus2

    Ab (Eb, Ab, Bb)

    		 Ab min

    Ab (Eb, Ab, B)

    Use your left hand to play the Ab root note, and your right hand to play the remaining notes of the chord.

     

    i iv VI VII
    i iv VI VII
    Absus4 Db min7 Fb Maj7 Gb7

     

    Absus4 in Eb Minor Key

    In Eb minor, the IV degree is Ab major, which can be replaced or varied with an Absus4 chord.

    i ii III iv v VI VII
    Eb min7 F m7b5 Gb Maj7 Ab min7 Bb min7 Cb Maj7 Db7

     

    Absus4 Chord Progressions as iv degree
    iv III VI VII
    iv III VI VII
    Absus4 | Ab min7 Gb Maj7 Cb Maj7 Db7

     

    i iv VI v
    i iv VI v
    Eb min7 Absus4 | Ab min7 Cb Maj7 Bb min7

     

    Absus4 in Db Minor

    Check G#sus4 in C# Minor

     

    Alternative Names for Absus4

    • Absus4
    • Absus(4)
    • Ab add4(no3)
    • Ab add4(omit3)
    • Ab Suspended 4th

     

    Conclusion

    While the chord progressions and examples in this post offer a comprehensive overview of common uses for the Absus4 chord, space constraints prevent a full exploration of advanced harmony topics. These include chord progressions based on scales, modal interchange, and jazz harmony. However, I encourage readers to continue studying and exploring to gain a deeper understanding of the harmonic possibilities beyond the basic concepts presented here. You can unlock a wide range of musical expressions and expand your creativity.

    I hope this post has been informative and helpful in your music theory journey. Keep exploring and creating music, and don’t forget to have some fun along the way!

     

    Tags:

    Leave a Reply

    Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

    Page Contents

    → INDEX