How to play the Esus4 chord on guitar

The Esus4 chord, pronounced E suspended fourth, is a variation of the standard E major chord. It's formed by replacing the major third with a perfect fourth, creating a sense of tension and ambiguity. This chord is commonly used in folk, rock, and country music to add a unique flavor to progressions. Notable songs featuring Esus4 include "Wonderwall" by Oasis and "Fast Car" by Tracy Chapman.

The Esus4 chord is typically played as a second fret barre chord on guitar.

Follow these finger positions to play a Esus4 chord on your guitar:

1. Barre your index finger across all six strings at the 2nd fret.
2. Place your ring finger on the 4th fret of the 4th (D) string.
3. Place your pinky finger on the 4th fret of the 3rd (G) string.

Strum all six strings together to play the Esus4 chord. Make sure to apply enough pressure with your index finger to cleanly fret all the strings.

If you're a beginner looking to play a simpler version of the Esus4 chord, try playing an open position Esus4. Place your index finger on the 2nd fret of the A string and your middle finger on the 2nd fret of the D string. Leave the other strings open. Strum all six strings together.

The Esus4 chord is commonly played as an open chord, but learning the barre chord version can be useful for quickly changing to other chords or playing the chord at different positions on the fretboard.

Here's how to play an Esus4 barre chord:

1. Place your index finger across all six strings at the 2nd fret, creating a barre.
2. Place your middle finger on the 4th fret of the 4th (D) string.
3. Place your ring finger on the 4th fret of the 3rd (G) string.
4. Place your pinky finger on the 4th fret of the 2nd (B) string.
5. Strum all six strings from the low E string to the high E string.

The Esus4 chord is often used in progressions to add tension and create a sense of longing or anticipation before resolving to the tonic chord. These progressions can evoke emotions ranging from yearning and introspection to hope and optimism. Some common Esus4 chord progressions include:

• I - Isus4 - I (E - Esus4 - E)
• I - IV - Isus4 - I (E - A - Esus4 - E)
• I - vi - Isus4 - IV (E - C#m - Esus4 - A)
• I - Isus4 - vi - IV (E - Esus4 - C#m - A) Used in "Wonderwall" by Oasis
• ii - V - I - Isus4 (F#m - B - E - Esus4)

To master the Esus4 chord, try strumming the chord and letting it ring out. Focus on achieving a clear, balanced sound across all strings. Practice transitioning smoothly between Esus4 and other common chords like E, A, and B7.

Another effective drill is to arpeggiate the chord, playing each note separately in ascending or descending order. This exercise helps develop finger independence and accuracy. Incorporate Esus4 into your favorite chord progressions or songs to make the chord change feel more natural and musical.

Here are 10 popular songs you can play with the Esus4 chord:

1. Hotel California by Eagles (Em, B7, D, A, E, G, D, F#)
2. Wonderwall by Oasis (Em7, G, D, A7sus4)
3. Good Riddance (Time of Your Life) by Green Day (G, C, D, Em)
4. Fast Car by Tracy Chapman (C, G, Em, D)
5. Wish You Were Here by Pink Floyd (Em, G, Em/F#, Esus4)
6. Daughters by John Mayer (C, G, D)
7. Drive by Incubus (Esus4, A, D, E)
8. Blackbird by The Beatles (G, A, B, C, D, E)
9. Mad World by Gary Jules (Em, G, D)
10. Behind Blue Eyes by The Who (Em, G, A, C, D, B7)