ARYZE STUDIO

What Are Sus Chords?

Suspended chords are chords in which the third of a major or minor triad is replaced by either a second (2) or a fourth (4). This creates a unique sound that feels open, unresolved, and often creates a desire for resolution — hence the term "suspended." The third of a chord, in traditional harmony, is what determines whether a chord is major or minor. By suspending it, the chord creates a sense of ambiguity, allowing for greater flexibility in how it resolves.

The most common types of sus chords are:

Sus2 Chord (Suspended Second)

• A sus2 chord replaces the major or minor third with a second interval (the second note above the root). This gives the chord a more open, less defined sound than a traditional major or minor chord.
• Example: Csus2 consists of the notes C - D - G. (C is the root, D is the second, and G is the fifth.)

Sus4 Chord (Suspended Fourth)

• A sus4 chord replaces the third with a fourth interval. It has a slightly more "clashing" or dissonant feel compared to the sus2 chord, as the interval between the root and the fourth is a perfect fourth, which can feel a bit tense.
• Example: Csus4 consists of the notes C - F - G. (C is the root, F is the fourth, and G is the fifth.)

Why Are Sus Chords Used?

• Suspended chords are often used to create a sense of tension that resolves later into a more stable, traditional chord, like a major or minor chord. This tension-resolution movement is a key element in harmonic progressions and gives music a dynamic, flowing quality.
• For example, a Csus4 chord is often followed by a C major chord, where the F (the suspended fourth) resolves to E (the major third), creating a sense of finality and release.
• Example of a progression: Csus4 → C (The sus4 resolves to a major chord, creating a satisfying resolution.)

How to Build a Sus Chord

The formula for building sus chords is quite simple: Sus2 Chord:

• Take a major or minor triad and replace the third with the second note in the scale.
• Formula: Root - 2nd - 5th
• Example: Csus2
• (Root = C, 2nd = D, 5th = G)

Sus4 Chord: Take a major or minor triad and replace the third with the fourth note in the scale.

• Formula: Root - 4th - 5th
• Example: Csus4
• (Root = C, 4th = F, 5th = G)

How Do Sus Chords Resolve?

• Suspended chords, as the name implies, create a sense of suspension. They do not feel "finished" or "complete," and often need to resolve to a more stable chord (like a major or minor chord) to release that tension.

• A sus4 chord typically resolves to a major chord. For instance, Csus4 → C major. The suspended fourth (F) moves up by a half-step to the third (E) of the major chord, resolving the tension.

• A sus2 chord can resolve in a similar way, but it’s a bit more fluid in its resolution. For example, Csus2 → C major can also work, with the D (the second) resolving upward to the E (the third) of the C major chord.

• In both cases, the change from a suspended chord to a more stable chord feels like a "release" of energy, which is a key feature of harmonic progression.