Suspended chords Chord names and symbols (popular music)

a suspended chord triad 3rd replaced note. in practice 3rd replaced either 4th or 2nd. these chords desire resolve normal triad. suspended chords notated symbols sus4 or sus2 . sus found on own, suspended fourth chord implied. resolution regular triad may not indicated in chord notation, chord-playing instrumentalists may resolution if not notated.

the resolution appropriate if written melody resolves fourth third above root (e.g., if chord g sus 4, in key of c major, lasts bar in 4/4, , melody note resolves note c 2 beats , note b 2 beats, 4-3 resolution in melody mirrored chord-playing musicians shifting g sus 4 g major. if intent of composer/songwriter leave tension unresolved in backing band, may write n.c (no chord) after g sus 4 chord sounded first 2 beats. instructs chord-playing musicians not play chord.

the sus indication can combined other notation. example:

c

this chord extended 9th chord 3rd replaced 4th (c-f–g–b♭–d). however, major third can added tension above 4th colorize chord (c-f–g–b♭–d–e). sus4 chord added major third (sometimes called major 10th) can quartally voiced c–f–b♭–e.

sus chords used extensively in jazz, entire song sections may based on sus chords. sus chords of short duration (half bar) common in rock, pop , folk.