Suspended Chords

In a suspended chord, the third scale degree is replaced with the second or the fourth scale degree, which gives the chord a suspenseful quality.

This post will cover how to construct various suspended chords and provide examples for each type of chord.

It will also provide common fingerings for each chord, along with instruction on how to play them on a guitar with any root note.

Suspended Second Chords: Theory

The chord formula for a suspended second chord is: 1, 2, 5.

A suspended second chord contains the first, second and fifth degrees of the major scale with the same root note.

Csus2 Chord

For example, a C^sus2 (or C suspended second chord) contains the notes C, D and G — the first, second and fifth notes in a C major scale (fig.1).

Fig.1

Asus2 Chord

An A^sus2 chord contains the notes A, B and E — the first, second and fifth notes in an A major scale (fig.2). 

Fig.2

All 12 Suspended Second Chords

The suspended second chords based on all 12 root notes are shown in fig.3.

Fig.3

Suspended Second Chords: On a Guitar

Fig.4 shows a common fingering for a suspended second chord.

Fig.4

This fingering will allow you to play a suspended second chord with any root note:

• To play a C^sus2 chord, place the barre on the third fret (fig.5a).
• To play an A^sus2 chord, place the barre on the 12th fret (fig.5b).

Fig.5

Suspended Fourth Chords: Theory

The chord formula for a suspended fourth chord is: 1, 4, 5.

A suspended fourth chord contains the first, fourth and fifth degrees of the major scale with the same root note.

Csus4 Chord

For example, a C^sus4 (or C suspended fourth) chord contains the notes C, F and G — the first, fourth and fifth notes in a C major scale (fig.6).

Fig.6

Asus4 Chord

An A^sus4 chord contains the notes A, D and E — the first, fourth and fifth notes in an A major scale (fig.7).

Fig.7

All 12 Suspended Fourth Chords

The suspended fourth chords based on all 12 root notes are shown in fig.8.

Fig.8

Suspended Fourth Chords: On a Guitar

Fig.9 shows a common fingering for a suspended fourth chord.

Fig.9

This fingering will allow you to play a suspended fourth chord with any root note:

• To play a C^sus4 chord, place the barre on the third fret (fig.10a).
• To play an A^sus4 chord, place the barre on the 12th fret (fig.10b).

Fig.10

Dominant Seventh, Suspended Fourth Chords: Theory

The chord formula for a dominant seventh, suspended fourth chord is: 1, 4, 5, b7.

A dominant seventh, suspended fourth chord contains the first, fourth, fifth and flatted seventh degrees of the major scale with the same root note.

C7sus4 Chord

For example, a C7^sus4 (or C dominant seventh, suspended fourth) chord contains the notes C, F, G and Bb — the first, fourth, fifth and flatted seventh notes in a C major scale.

A7sus4 Chord

An A7^sus4 chord contains the notes A, D, E and G — the first, fourth, fifth and flatted seventh notes in an A major scale.

Fig.11

All 12 Dominant Seventh, Suspended Fourth Chords

The dominant seventh, suspended fourth chords based on all 12 root notes are shown in fig.12.

Fig.12

Dominant Seventh, Suspended Fourth Chords: On a Guitar

Fig.13 shows a common fingering for a dominant seventh, suspended fourth chord.

Fig.13

This fingering will allow you to play a dominant seventh, suspended fourth chord with any root note:

• To play a C7^sus4 chord, place the barre on the eighth fret (fig.14a).
• To play an A7^sus4 chord, place the barre on the fifth fret (fig.14b).

Fig.14

Chord Qualities and Application

Suspended chords don’t contain a third scale degree, so they are neither major nor minor in quality.

They have a suspenseful quality about them and they usually move to the major or minor chord with the same root note to resolve the tension.

For example, the progression in fig.15 contains two suspended fourth chords: A^sus4 and G^sus4.

Both chords resolve to the major chord with the same root note:

• The A^sus4 chord resolves to an A major chord.
• The G^sus4 chord resolves to a G major chord.