38. Sus Chords 1: sus4

Overview of the sus4 Chord

Starting this time, we look at sus chords, beginning with the sus4 chord, which can "delay resolution".
It can also change the flow of a chord progression and make it more dramatic.

The Sound of sus4

First, let's check the sound of sus4.
The chord tones are played one by one, followed by the chord.

Csus4

It has an indescribable floating sound.
Let's follow sus4 with a C major chord.

Csus4 → C

You get the impression of resolving from that floating feel.
Some of you may be reminded of school choir competitions.

Notation of sus4

The sus4 chord is written as follows.

Basically, this one notation is all you need.

E sus four = Esus4
F sus four = Fsus4

How sus4 Is Formed

Let's check the root position of the Csus4 chord on the score and the piano roll.

If you have mastered the structure of the major triad, you'll notice that only the M3rd differs.

The chord tones are as follows.

As intervals from the root: R/P4th/P5th
As scale degrees with the root as 1: 1/4/5

That's the structure.

What sus4 Means

sus4 is short for "suspended fourth chord."
Here, let's learn about the "suspended note" (suspension).

A suspended note is a type of "non-chord tone," a note that is not part of the chord.

Imagine a note from the melody in the previous bar being held over (tied) into the next bar.
Then that note resolves to a chord tone (mainly by a 2nd).

You can think of the F note held over in a G7 → C progression as the original idea behind the Csus4 chord.

Using sus4

Let's actually bring sus4 into a cadence.
As the original sample, we'll use the following two-five-one flow.

Key = C major: IIm7 → V7 → I (Dm7 → G7 → C)

It resolves with the authentic cadence (dominant motion) G7 → C.

37. Focusing on Cadences
"Cadences," the key to chord progressions. Now that we've learned avoid notes and sixth chords, we return to chords and song structure. In Lesson 31, tonic, subdominant

Next, let's add sus4 between G7 and C.

Key = C major: IIm7 → V7 → Isus4 → I (Dm7 → G7 → Csus4 → C)

Adding Csus4 between G7 and C makes the resolution sound delayed, and it finally resolves on the last C.
Also notice that the F of G7 is a common tone with the F of Csus4.
You can think of it as the m7 note being held.
Let's also look at how the tritone moves in this case.

It moves in two stages, which ties in with the idea of delayed resolution.
By placing sus4 as a cushion before the resolution like this, you can make the cadence more dramatic.
It's used in all kinds of songs, so be sure to pay attention to it when analyzing songs.

14. The Tritone and a New Interval: "Augmented"
The tritone and the new augmented interval. This time, we take a break from chords and learn about the "tritone" and, in connection with it, a new interval called "augmented"

Next time, let's look at other sus chords.

Frequently Asked Questions

Q1. What is the difference between a sus4 chord and a major chord?

sus4 is a chord in which the 3rd (M3rd) of a major chord is replaced with a perfect 4th (P4th). Its notes are 1/4/5, and it is characterized by a floating sound. A major chord is 1/3/5 and sounds stable.

Q2. What are the notes of Csus4?

Csus4 consists of three notes: C (root), F (perfect 4th) and G (perfect 5th). As intervals from the root, it is written R/P4th/P5th.

Q3. What is a suspended note?

A suspended note (suspension) is a type of non-chord tone. It refers to a note from the previous bar that is held over into the next bar and then resolves to a chord tone, mainly by descending a 2nd.

Q4. What are the sonic benefits of using sus4?

Introducing sus4 adds tension and a floating feel to a chord progression and makes the subsequent resolution more dramatic and effective. It works especially well as a cushion before dominant motion.