Here's your ultimate guide to suspended chords. We'll learn how to make the most out of sus chords and their theory. Then, we'll look at some relatively easy chord grips you should start exploring as embellishments.
💡 I was anticipating sus chords would be super easy, but when Nitsuj had a go at this, it was loads harder than I thought. So don't freak out if you struggle a bit! It gets easier, and you'll soon be making the most out of your sus chords. If you're struggling, it's normal! It just means that you'll need to practice a little bit mote. :)
First, let's start by understanding what they are. :)
"Sus" is short for "suspended." With sus chords, you're taking away the 3rd and replacing it with… something. Without getting into music theory, here's the basic idea.
Major chords consist of the 1st, 3rd, and 5th notes in a key. For instance, the notes in the D major scale are
D E F# G A B C#
The 1st note in the key is D, the 3rd is F#, and the 5th is A. These three notes make up the D major chord.
Now, the 3rd note in the chord is pretty crucial! The chord changes from major to minor when this note is flattened by one semitone (or one fret).
But what happens if you take the 3rd away? Well, it's neither major nor minor. It becomes its own thing.
Let's take a look at the D chord. If you take away the 3rd, the open E string rings out. E is the 2nd note in the D major scale. Since the E (2nd) replaces the F# (3rd) in the chord, you get a Dsus2 chord.
Following the same pattern, Dsus4 replaces the 3rd with the 4th, a G.
You can apply sus chords to music in a few different ways. They are new sounds you can add to your musical repertoire at the most basic level.
Sus chords can be ornaments when used sparingly within a song. They can replace the root chord or become part of a melodic riff. There are many ways to get creative with these! You might find that moving one finger while holding the rest down is challenging. It's completely normal if you find this tricky at first!
When playing them on your guitar, don't be afraid to experiment with different fingerings. You might find a way of playing sus chords that work better for your needs and anatomy.
I suggest you explore sus chords with A and E shapes, both major and minor. Sus chords work with C and G, but they're more challenging. So keep them alone for now. Only tackle them if you're up for the challenge.
Maybe you've been playing them already - so feel free to start adding them as ornaments to your songs! Don't be afraid of getting creative and seeing what you come up with. There's no limit here! To help guide you - follow the easy sus chords diagrams below. :)
Now it's time to learn a helpful exercise to help you practice your sus chords. I suggest you first explore sus chords with A and E shapes, both Major and Minor. Sus chords work with C and G shapes, but that's a bit more challenging. Follow the sus chord exercises below:
Sus Chord Exercise 1 1 2 3 + 4 + D D D U D U 3 3 3 4 3 2 Sus Chord Exercise 2 1 2 + + 4 D D U U D 3 3 4 4 3 Sus Chord Exercise 3 1 2 + 3 + 4 D D U D U D 3 4 3 4 3 2
Take it slow, and try not to get discouraged if they feel strange at first. It's part of the process of learning a new skill and sound!
Experimenting will be key to getting used to sus chords! Now that you know what they sound like, you'll also start to recognize them in your favorite songs. Stay aware of them and keep your ears open to them!
There are loads of awesome examples in 90s rock acoustic ballads. If you're not familiar with the song Dead or Alive by Bon Jovi - give it a listen. There's a nice line of sus twiddles with the D chord in there. Another great one for sus chords is the iconic Bryan Adams riff for Summer Of 69.
