Suspended Chords
Create tension and release with suspended chords - ambiguous, floating harmony that adds movement and interest to your playing.
Theory Fundamentals
What Are Suspended Chords?
- •Definition: Three-note chords where the 3rd is replaced by 2nd or 4th
- •Formula (sus4): Root + Perfect 4th + Perfect 5th
- •Formula (sus2): Root + Major 2nd + Perfect 5th
- •Sound Quality: Open, floating, unresolved
- •Function: Tension before resolution, color, ambiguity
Musical Applications
- •Rock: Pete Townshend-style chord work
- •Pop: Adding movement to static chords
- •Ambient: Open, floating textures
- •Folk: Ornamental passing chords
Understanding Suspended Chord Construction
Dsus4 Example
- • Root: D (1st degree)
- • Perfect 4th: G (4th degree)
- • Perfect 5th: A (5th degree)
- • No 3rd: Neither major nor minor
- • Result: Open, suspended sound
Interval Quality
- • No 3rd: Ambiguous tonality
- • Perfect 4th (sus4): Strong suspension
- • Major 2nd (sus2): Gentle suspension
- • Tension: Wants to resolve to major or minor
- • Psychology: Anticipation, openness
Scale Relationship
- • Derived from: Replacing 3rd with 4th or 2nd
- • Resolution: Sus4 resolves down to major 3rd
- • Resolution: Sus2 resolves up to major 3rd
- • Passing: Often used between chords
- • Color: Adds movement without key change
Essential Suspended Chord Voicings
Start Here
These are the fundamental suspended chord voicings for guitar.
Dsus4
Notes: D-G-A
Fingering: Easy open shape
Use: Resolves to D major, rock riffs
Dsus2
Notes: D-E-A
Fingering: Simple open shape
Use: Color chord, folk/pop
Asus4
Notes: A-D-E
Fingering: One-finger add to A major
Use: Resolves to A, classic rock
Common Suspended Chord Progressions
Sus4 Resolution Pattern
Chord Sequence
Dsus4
Isus4
D
I
Asus4
Vsus4
A
V
Strumming Pattern
D - DU - D - DU
Rock rhythm with suspensions
Tempo: 90-130 BPM
Feel: Driving, anthemic
Genre: Rock, Pop, Folk
Sus4 Resolution (Dsus4-D, Asus4-A)
Classic sus4-to-major resolution pattern - creates satisfying tension and release heard in rock anthems like "Pinball Wizard".
Practice Tips for Chord Progressions
Technique Focus
- • Practice lifting fingers for sus4 to major resolution
- • Focus on smooth transitions between sus and resolved chords
- • Use hammer-ons and pull-offs for ornamental suspensions
- • Keep steady rhythm while resolving suspensions
Musical Application
- • Adds movement to static chord progressions
- • Creates tension before satisfying resolution
- • Essential for rock and folk embellishments
- • Perfect for intro riffs and arpeggiated patterns
Famous Songs Using Suspended Chords
Rock & Pop Classics
- • "Pinball Wizard" - The Who (Bsus4-B, Asus4-A)
- • "Tom Sawyer" - Rush (sus chord riffs)
- • "Crazy Little Thing Called Love" - Queen (Dsus4-D)
- • "Free Fallin'" - Tom Petty (Dsus4-D-Asus4-A)
- • "Every Breath You Take" - The Police (Asus2)
Practice Exercises
Building Suspended Chord Skills
These exercises will help you master suspended chords and their resolutions.
Exercise 1: Sus4 Resolution Practice
Pattern: Dsus4-D, Asus4-A, Esus4-E
Practice resolving sus4 chords to their major counterparts
Focus on the single finger movement that creates the resolution
Advanced Suspended Chord Concepts
Creative Suspended Chord Uses
- • Sus as modal color: Neither major nor minor
- • 7sus4: Dominant suspension (A7sus4-A7)
- • Sus2 stacking: Open tuning effects
- • Parallel sus movement: Moving shapes up neck
- • Pedal tone suspensions: Holding bass while moving
Songs Using This Chord
Hear how this chord is used in real songs
Continue Your Chord Journey
Now that you understand suspended chords, explore how they connect to other chord types and advanced harmonic concepts.