Esus4 Ukulele Chord

Esus4 is the E suspended fourth chord. It has three notes: E, A and B. The standard shape is three fingers with the E string open in the middle of them, and unlike the famously hard E chord, nothing about it needs a barre or a squeeze.

132AEEB

Index and middle at the 2nd fret on the G and A strings, ring reaching the 4th on the C string, with the open E inside the shape.

How to play Esus4 on ukulele, step by step

  1. Index finger: 2nd fret, G string
  2. Middle finger: 2nd fret, A string
  3. Ring finger: 4th fret, C string
  4. Leave the E string open. Strum all four strings.

Resolving to E means jumping to a different grip at the 4th fret, because plain E has no easy open shape. Practise the pair slowly before you need it at tempo.

More ways to play Esus4

There are 3 common Esus4 shapes: the standard one at the top of the page, plus these further up the neck. You only ever need one. Tap any card to hear it.

Frets 4 to 5
Esus4 ukulele chord diagram, frets 4 to 5, played 4450

Compact and even; the doubled A pushes the suspension forward.

Frets 7 to 9
Esus4 ukulele chord diagram, frets 7 to 9, played 9970

Tight and chiming, the sound of the chord up where a strum turns to sparkle.

If it sounds wrong

The open E string dies
The ring finger reaching the 4th fret of the C string tends to lean over. Keep it on its tip so the open string underneath can ring.
The stretch feels wide
Two frets between index and ring is the widest gap in this shape. Drop the thumb low behind the neck and the fingers will arch instead of strain.
The A string note buzzes
The middle finger usually sits too far behind the 2nd fret. Move it up against the fret and press with the tip.

What makes it an Esus4

E · A · B 1 4 5

Sus4 means the third is suspended: replaced by the fourth. Esus4 keeps the root and fifth of E (E and B) but plays A where the third, G♯, would be. The A hangs one half step above G♯ and wants to fall back onto it, which is what pulls the chord toward plain E.

Expect it in the keys of E, A and B. There is a small irony on the ukulele: E major is the instrument's famously awkward chord, while its suspension is an easy open shape. If a song lets the sus ring for a while, enjoy the rest.

Esus4 vs Esus2

The two suspensions replace the third of E in opposite directions. Esus4 pushes it up to A and leans back toward E. Esus2 drops it to F♯ and floats instead of pulling.

On most instruments the two are picked purely for colour, and the ukulele is no different: sus4 for tension that resolves, sus2 for open air that does not need to.

Esus4 chord questions

Is Esus4 easier than E?

Yes, noticeably. Plain E is the hardest common ukulele chord; Esus4 is three fingers and an open string with no barre.

What does Esus4 resolve to?

E major, almost always. The A falls one half step onto G♯ and the tension releases.

Is Esus4 major or minor?

Neither. The third has been replaced by the fourth, which is exactly what sus means.

Do you strum all four strings?

Yes. The standard shape frets the G, C and A strings and lets the E ring open; all four are strummed.

Are Esus4 and Esus the same chord?

Yes. A chart that writes Esus means Esus4.

Chords to learn next

Other E chords