Chord a Day, January 30th - Asus4

Open Position chords typically do not show the location of the root or letter name of the chord, as these chords are the first chords a ukulele player learns. They are almost entirely learned by shape and sound–hopefully, the chord names. Later on, one develops the ability to determine the location of the chord root(s) or letter name within the chord.

Standard Music Notation and TAB

Standard music notation and TAB for C Tuning, Low and High G variations

The same numbering notation used in TAB can be used to describe the open strings and frets to be played when using text-only notation or verbal communications. Using an open position C as an example, we can describe it as 0003, indicating open strings four, three, and two with fret (3) being fingered on string one. An open position, D7 , indicated as 2020

As you can see that are numerous ways to describe a chord, either verbally Put your finger here…, in Standard Music Notation , TAB , and in text, graphically using a Chord Grid , etc.

Derived From

Today's chord, Asus4 is a derived chord from A . Take any chord progression with A in it and explore substituting Asus4 for A.

View the A Learn A Chord A Day page…

Chord Spelling

Chord Spelling is simply knowing what the notes, the chord tones of a chord are.

The notes of all chords can be determined from its corresponding major scale based on the root of the chord and numeric formula.

The notes for Asus4 are:

A D E

The chord tones are the 1 4 5 scale degrees of the parent A Major Scale .

Recommended Fingering(s)

Alternate Fingering(s)

Here are a few alternate fingerings for today’s Asus4 chord depending on the context the chord is being used.

Alternate fingering(s) for Asus4:

• - 3 4 0 0
• - T T 0 0 - Although the thumb can come around and play these notes. I'm sure you know my stance on the thumb's primary role. So unless there's a physical reason or an overwhelming musical reason to use the thumb, have it stick to it's role of supporting the fingers by applying opposite and equal pressure for the fingers.

Fingering Notation

Fingering notation for a chord using text only, without using a chord grid, is typically done using the finger numbers from left to right, string four to string one (nose to toes). Here is the text notation for January 1st C chord.

A Typical text representation of a chord fingering without using a chord grid.

Note: A Zero (0) fingering notation represents an open string that doesn't require using a finger.

Fingering Chords

Additional alternate fingerings might be possible for selected chords. If there isn't an overwhelming musical reason for one fingering over another, let efficiency be the determining factor. Something as simple as longer fingers that can reach the lower strings four and three will go a long way to being efficient when switching chords.

Factors such as playing notes right behind the fret take less effort than in the middle of the fret. Less effort leads to overall efficiency; lower maintenance for maintaining your technique and efficiency leads to speed. This can help in determining what finger to use. Finger three can overlap finger four, and finger two can overlap finger three a little, allowing them to get closer to the fret.

Remember, the thumb's primary role is to support the fingers–not play notes. Think of the thumb as a Stagehand. He is unseen, doesn't get any lines, but is a critical member of the team. There are musical situations where you might use your thumb but they are mainly rhythmic / strumming reasons.

Chord Construction, Notes and Intervals

All chords can be constructed based on their intervals relative to the major scale of the root or letter name of the chord. The individual names of the notes of the chord can also be determined from the same scale.

The chord tones for Asus4 are: A D E

Asus4 is the 1 4 5 of the A Major Scale based on the root (A) of the chord.

sus or suspended Chords

A sus chord implies the suspension of the third of a major, minor or seventh chord. The most common, historical, and traditional use of this suspension involves raising the third of a major or seventh chord to the fourth for a sus4, or 7sus4. In some contemporary music, the suspension can also be accomplished by lowering the third of a major or minor chord to a second for a sus2 chord.

A sus or suspension displaces the third of a chord. An Am sus4 or Am sus2 would be the same as the sus4 and sus2 chords in lesson one's A major chord.

Because a suspended chord lacks a third, these chords feel unresolved and often “resolve” back to a standard major or minor chord.

The term is borrowed from the contrapuntal technique of suspension, where a note from a previous chord is carried over to the next chord—suspended into the next harmony, and then resolved down to the third or tonic, suspending a note from the previous chord. However, in modern usage, the term concerns only the notes played at a given time; in a suspended chord, the added tone does not necessarily resolve and is not necessarily prepared (i.e., held over) from the prior chord. A common suspension is a fourth above the root resolving to the third of the chord. Sevenths, ninths, and seconds are also common suspensions.

Technically a sus2 is not really a chord as in traditional harmony a sus or suspension only referred to the third of the chords. So, really a sus2 is most likely a power 5 without a third and with an added 2. And, another chord that, at its foundation is not a chord but a DYAD.

As tonality expanded, classical composers began embracing less functional harmony structured in fourths and fifths. In popular music, it also became commonplace to leave suspensions in place without resolving them.

In Jazz

A common suspended chord in jazz combines the supertonic and dominant chords into one sonority: V9sus4 . Basically the II V of a II V I is combined. An example in C: the Dm7 G7 is combined as Dm7/G .

Next Steps

After memorizing today's Asus4 chord and when you are able to switch in time with other chords, the next step is adding various Strums , Fingerpicking patterns, and exploring the Movable Chord versions of today's chord, to your ukulele skills.