How do you play the E 7(b5)(sus)/A chord?

To play the E 7(b5)(sus)/A chord on piano, play the E 7(b5)(sus) chord (E, A# and D) with A as the lowest bass note. Place the A note below the other chord tones. Slash chords specify a particular bass note different from the chord root.

What is a slash chord?

A slash chord (or compound chord) is written as Chord/Bass and specifies both a chord and a bass note. The note to the right of the slash is played as the lowest note. The E 7(b5)(sus)/A chord means a E 7(b5)(sus) chord with A in the bass.

E 7(b5)(sus)/A

Q: What notes are in the E 7(b5)(sus)/A chord?

The E 7(b5)(sus)/A chord uses the 3 notes of the E 7(b5)(sus) chord — E (Perfect unison), A# (Diminished fifth) and D (Minor seventh) — with A played as the bass note in the lowest register.

The E 7(b5)(sus) chord consists of the E (Perfect unison), A# (Diminished fifth) and D (Minor seventh) notes, with A as the bass note.

Piano keyboard showing the notes for a E 7(b5)(sus)/A chord

How to play the E 7(b5)(sus)/A chord

Play A as the lowest bass note in the left hand
Find E (Root) on the piano keyboard
Add A# (Diminished fifth) — 6 semitones above E
Add D (Minor seventh) — 10 semitones above E
Press all 4 notes simultaneously to sound the E 7(b5)(sus)/A chord

Related chords with different root

E 11(b5)(sus4)
A# maj7(b5)

Related slash chords

A# b5/A