Suspended Chords in Modern Music

Suspended chords, often called “sus” chords, stand out by replacing the third note of a chord with either the second or fourth note. This substitution creates a “suspended” sound, giving the chord a neutral, unresolved quality.

In classical music, composers used sus chords to introduce tension, especially in typically stable chords like the tonic. Today, pop and rock musicians use sus chords to add subtle depth to their songs or to inject variety into standard chord progressions.

This article will introduce the types of sus chords, demonstrate how to play them on piano and guitar, and explore their applications in contemporary music.

What is a Suspended Chord?

Suspended chords, or “sus” chords, shake things up by swapping the third note of a traditional chord with either the second or fourth note. This alteration creates a sense of musical suspense, catching listeners off guard when they expect to hear the familiar third note.

Without the third, sus chords don’t carry standard chords’ clear-cut happy (major) or sad (minor) vibe. Instead, they sound more neutral and mysterious. The intervals between the notes (seconds and fourths) create tension, making your ears crave a resolution back to a standard chord.

In the classical era, composers used sus chords to change up stable chords like the tonic or to dial up the drama in already tense chords like the dominant. They’d typically follow up a sus chord with its matching major or minor chord to satisfy that craving for resolution.

While this technique isn’t as common in today’s pop and rock scene, we’ll explore some modern uses later in this article.

Types of suspended chords

There are two main types of suspended chords:

• Sus2 chords (with a suspended second)
• Sus4 chords (with a suspended fourth)

Both types sound neutral compared to basic triads but have distinct tonal characteristics.

Sus4 Chords

Sus4 chords replace the third note with the fourth, creating an unresolved sound. They were prominent in classical music and remain influential today.

Key characteristics of Sus4 chords:

• They create tension by omitting the expected third note
• They’re less stable than Sus2 chords
• Their resolution to a regular chord provides a sense of completion

Sus4 chords appear in various musical contexts and are often used in perfect cadences. Let’s examine an example from The Beatles.

In the chorus of “For No One” by The Beatles:

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The cadence progression is: Vsus4 → V → I. In this progression:

• The Vsus4 introduces tension
• The V partially resolves while maintaining tonal tension
• The I provides full resolution

This sequence shows how Sus4 chords add and resolve tension while enhancing the progression’s emotional impact.

Sus2 Chords

Sus2 chords replace the third note of a chord with the second, creating a unique sound. Unlike Sus4 chords, Sus2 chords are more stable and can often stand alone in a progression.

While all suspended chords have some inherent instability due to their intervals, Sus2 chords strike a balance between tension and resolution, making them versatile in various musical contexts.

Let’s look at a real-world example: Oasis’ “Champagne Supernova.” The verse uses a Sus2 chord as a one-chord vamp. Here, the Sus2 chord adds movement and interest to a seemingly static progression.

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In “Champagne Supernova,” Oasis cleverly uses the Sus2 chord’s unique properties:

• The chord’s slight instability keeps listeners engaged, even without chord changes.
• A descending bassline adds extra movement, creating a sense of progression.

While Sus2 chords can resolve to standard triads, this resolution isn’t as typical as with Sus4 chords. This gives musicians more flexibility in using Sus2 chords in their compositions.

Suspended Chords on Guitar

Common Sus Chord Shapes on the Guitar

Sus chords on guitar are based on the open chord shapes of C, A, G, E, and D, with the third replaced by either the second or fourth note. This alteration creates a distinct sound that can add depth to your playing.

For a visual guide to these shapes, refer to this video:

Guitar Sus Chords in Practice: “Roxanne” by The Police

Let’s dive into a real-world example of sus chords on the guitar: “Roxanne” by The Police. This song showcases how sus chords can spice up your guitar playing.

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In the verse, guitarist Andy Summers uses Esus4 chords, but with a twist. He leaves out the fifth and sixth strings, creating a unique, airy sound. This adds a dash of mystery to the chord.

Why does this work so well? The sus4 chord brings a bit of tension, with the fourth note creating a slight dissonance against the root. This tension gives “Roxanne” its distinctive edge, setting The Police apart from other bands of their time.

Notice that Summers doesn’t resolve these sus chords to their basic triads. You don’t always have to follow the “rules” in music. Sometimes, leaving that tension unresolved can create a more exciting sound. It all depends on the flavor you decide to give to your song.

Practical Applications of Sus Chords on Guitar

1. Embellish: Use sus chords to add variation to basic triads. Queen’s “Crazy Little Thing Called Love” demonstrates this technique effectively.
2. Adjust tone: Replace standard triads with sus chords to alter the emotional color of a piece. In “Come As You Are,” Nirvana uses sus chords in the chorus instead of major chords, likely to avoid an overly bright sound.
3. Maintain interest: Use sus chords to keep listeners engaged when a chord is held for more than one bar.
4. Enhance cadences: While less common in guitar-centric music, sus chords can be used in cadences for a classical influence, similar to the Beatles example mentioned earlier.

Suspended Chords on Piano 

Getting to Know Sus Chords on the Keys

Want to see sus chords in action on the piano? Check out this helpful video that breaks down the basic shapes and voicings:

An example of the use of sus chords on piano

Let’s dive into a real-world example of sus chords on piano.

Coldplay’s “The Scientist” is a modern classic that showcases these chords beautifully. Despite its major key, the song has a melancholic feel, thanks to its clever use of sus chords.

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Three cool things about this progression:

1. The IVsus2 chord adds an unexpected twist. Usually, the IV chord sounds happy, but suspending it completely changes the vibe.
2. Notice how they stretch just three chords across the verse? Sus chords can add variety to a chord that lingers for more than one measure.
3. By using sus chords, Coldplay adds an extra layer of emotion. This helps create that wistful, melancholic mood that permeates throughout the song.

How to Use Sus Chords on the Piano

Ready to spice up your piano playing with sus chords? Here are some practical tips:

1. Jazz up your cadences: Sus chords in cadences are a classic move. They always sound good, though they might give your piece a slightly old-school vibe.
2. Tone down overly bright chords: If a regular triad sounds too cheery for your needs, try suspending it. “The Scientist” does this brilliantly with its IVsus2 chord.
3. Add interest to long-held chords: If you’ve held a chord for more than a bar, use Sus chords to add more mileage. This is an effective technique that adds extra emotional dimension.
4. Quick embellishments: You can briefly suspend a chord for a quick flourish. Just keep in mind that this technique is trickier on piano than on guitar due to the instrument’s layout.

Suspended Chord Techniques

Now that we’ve covered the basics let’s explore some advanced techniques for using suspended chords. But first, let’s recap when you might want to reach for a sus chord:

• To soften an overly bright chord or add edge to a dull one
• For a dash of dissonance when a basic triad feels too plain
• As a quick, interesting embellishment
• To breathe life into a chord that’s around for more than a measure
• To create tension within a progression, whether you resolve it or not

Keep these ideas in your back pocket — they’ll come in handy for 99% of the songs you’ll encounter or create.

How to Use Suspended Chords in Chord Progressions

Most of the time, suspended chords are diatonic, meaning they fit within the song’s key. This allows you to swap out a regular chord for a sus chord without worrying too much about sounding “wrong.”

Spice Up a Familiar Progression

Let’s take a common chord progression like I → V → ii → IV. Try suspending one of these chords to give it a fresh twist. For example, change the V to a Vsus2:

Hear the difference? It’s subtle but effective. Give it a try on your instrument!

Add Movement to Long Chords

If a chord in your progression hangs around for more than one measure, you can use sus chords to keep things interesting.

Notice how this adds both variety and emotion? Coldplay’s “The Scientist” uses this technique beautifully in its verse and chorus.

Play with Expectations

Here’s where things get really fun. Use sus chords to create tension by delaying the chord your listeners expect to hear. This works especially well in cadences:

• Try Vsus4 → V → I in place of a regular V → I cadence. The Beatles use this in “For No One.”
• Or delay the resolution even further: V → Isus4 → I. You’ll hear this a lot in gospel and hymnal music.

You can even apply this concept to entire progressions. Check out this tension-filled example:

Want to dive deeper into sus chords in jazz? This article is a great place to start.

Conclusion

Suspended chords are valuable tools in music composition. They offer a way to refresh overused progressions, introduce emotional nuance beyond basic triads, and create a distinctive tension in your music.

To incorporate sus chords effectively, start by substituting them for regular chords in familiar progressions. Refer to the techniques discussed earlier as a guide for experimentation.

Artists like The Police, Nirvana, and Oasis have utilized sus chords to craft their signature sounds. These chords can similarly help you develop your unique musical style.

If you want to learn more about Sus chords and other music theory principles, check out the Hooktheory books. They are full of modern music examples and practical applications that make learning music theory fun.