Chord category
Suspended chords
A suspended chord replaces the third with the second (sus2) or the fourth (sus4). With no third, it is neither major nor minor: it hangs “suspended”, waiting to resolve.
Theory
Csus4 has the root, the perfect fourth and the fifth. Csus2 uses the second instead of the fourth.
Formula and steps
Degrees
1 – 4 – 5
Steps (semitones)
5 – 2
How they are used
They build expectation: sus4 usually resolves to the third of the major chord. Very common in rock, pop and gospel.
Progressions (roman numerals)
- Isus4 – I
- Vsus4 – V – I
Example sequences
- Csus4 – C
- Gsus4 – G – C
Related chords
Alternative symbols
They are written Csus4 and Csus2; sometimes Csus alone means sus4. Combined with the seventh they give the dominant sus, typical of resolving cadences.