How to play the Eb7sus4 chord on guitar

The Eb7sus4 chord, pronounced "E flat suspended fourth seventh," is a rich and versatile guitar chord. It's created by combining the notes of an Eb7 chord with the 4th scale degree, resulting in a sound that's both tense and harmonically complex. The Eb7sus4 is often used in jazz, funk, and soul music to add color and sophistication to chord progressions.

The most common way to play the Eb7sus4 chord on guitar is as a barre chord on the 6th fret.

Follow these finger positions to play an Eb7sus4 chord on your guitar:

1. Use your index finger to barre the strings at the 6th fret, covering the 1st (high E), 2nd (B), 3rd (G), 4th (D), 5th (A), and 6th (low E) strings.
2. Place your middle finger on the 8th fret of the 4th (D) string.
3. Place your ring finger on the 8th fret of the 3rd (G) string.
4. Place your pinky finger on the 8th fret of the 2nd (B) string.

To strum this chord, use a downward motion starting from the 6th (low E) string and moving towards the 1st (high E) string, ensuring that all strings ring out clearly.

If you're a beginner looking to play a simpler version of the Eb7sus4 chord, try playing an Eb7 chord without the barre. Place your index finger on the 1st fret of the G string, middle finger on the 3rd fret of the D string, and ring finger on the 3rd fret of the B string. Strum only those three strings.

While the open version of Eb7sus4 is easier to play, the barre chord version allows you to play the chord in different positions up and down the neck, giving you more options and flexibility.

Here's how to play a Eb7sus4 bar chord:

1. Place your index finger across all six strings at the 6th fret, creating a barre.
2. Place your middle finger on the 7th fret of the 3rd (G) string.
3. Place your ring finger on the 8th fret of the 5th (A) string.
4. Place your pinky finger on the 8th fret of the 4th (D) string.
5. Strum all six strings from low to high.

The Eb7sus4 chord adds a dreamy, unresolved tension to progressions, making it well-suited for jazz, R&B and neo-soul styles. Common chord progressions featuring Eb7sus4 include:

• I - IV - Eb7sus4 - IV (Eb - Ab - Eb7sus4 - Ab)
• ii - V - I - Eb7sus4 (Fm7 - Bb7 - EbMaj7 - Eb7sus4). Used in "Isn't She Lovely" by Stevie Wonder
• I - Eb7sus4 - IV - V (Eb - Eb7sus4 - Ab - Bb7)
• vi - Eb7sus4 - I - V (Cm7 - Eb7sus4 - EbMaj7 - Bb7)
• iii - Eb7sus4 - vi - V (Gm7 - Eb7sus4 - Cm7 - Bb7)

To master the Eb7sus4 guitar chord, start by playing each note individually: Eb, Ab, Bb, and Db. Focus on cleanly fretting and plucking each string. Once comfortable, practice transitioning between Eb7sus4 and other common chords like Ab, Cm, or Fm7.

Next, incorporate Eb7sus4 into chord progressions or songs you enjoy. This helps develop muscle memory and trains your ears to recognize the chord's sound in context. With consistent practice, you'll soon be playing Eb7sus4 with confidence and ease!

Here are 10 popular songs you can play with the Eb7sus4 chord:

1. I Wish by Stevie Wonder (Chords: Eb7sus4, Bbm7, Cm7, F7)
2. Isn't She Lovely by Stevie Wonder (Chords: Eb7sus4, Ab, Bbm7, Db)
3. Sir Duke by Stevie Wonder (Chords: Eb7sus4, Bb7, Cm7, F7)
4. Superstition by Stevie Wonder (Chords: Eb7sus4, Cm7, Bb7, Fm7)
5. Boogie On Reggae Woman by Stevie Wonder (Chords: Eb7sus4, Cm7, Bb7, Abmaj7)
6. Don't You Worry 'Bout A Thing by Stevie Wonder (Chords: Eb7sus4, Cm7, F7, Bb7)
7. Creepin' by Stevie Wonder (Chords: Eb7sus4, Abmaj7, Db/F)
8. As by Stevie Wonder (Chords: Eb7sus4, Abmaj7, Fm7, Bbm7)
9. Knocks Me Off My Feet by Stevie Wonder (Chords: Eb7sus4, Abmaj7, Db/F, Fm7)
10. Overjoyed by Stevie Wonder (Chords: Eb7sus4, Abmaj7, Db/F, Bbm7)