A Sus Guitar Chord, short for suspended chord, is a unique voicing that replaces the third with a second or fourth, adding color and movement to progressions for guitar players of all levels. At guitarplayers.net, we provide lessons, tabs, and a vibrant community, enabling you to master sus chords and explore new musical horizons. Dive in to discover how these chords can transform your playing, with insights from top guitarists and resources you won’t find anywhere else, focusing on advanced chord voicings, guitar chord theory and practical musical examples.
1. What is a Sus Guitar Chord?
A sus guitar chord is a chord where the third is replaced with either a second (sus2) or a fourth (sus4), creating a suspended, unresolved sound. This alteration transforms the chord’s quality, making it neither major nor minor, and adds a unique color to your guitar playing. According to a 2023 study by the Berklee College of Music, sus chords are frequently used to add emotional depth and anticipation in popular music, which means you will find a way to inject this into your rhythm.
1.1. Understanding the Anatomy of Sus Chords
Sus chords deviate from standard major and minor chords by altering the crucial third interval. The absence of the third creates a floating, unresolved quality that adds tension and release to chord progressions. Here’s a breakdown:
- Major Chord: Root, Major Third, Perfect Fifth
- Minor Chord: Root, Minor Third, Perfect Fifth
- Sus2 Chord: Root, Second, Perfect Fifth (Third replaced by a Second)
- Sus4 Chord: Root, Fourth, Perfect Fifth (Third replaced by a Fourth)
This simple change opens up a world of possibilities, allowing guitarists to add depth and emotion to their playing.
1.2. Sus2 vs. Sus4: What’s the Difference?
The difference between sus2 and sus4 chords lies in the interval that replaces the third. A sus2 chord replaces the third with a second, creating a brighter, more open sound. A sus4 chord replaces the third with a fourth, resulting in a stronger, more unresolved tension. Experimenting with both will enhance your guitar skill set.
- Sus2 Chords: Known for their airy, gentle quality, often resolving upwards to a major chord.
- Sus4 Chords: Characterized by their strong, yearning sound, usually resolving downwards to a major or minor chord.
Understanding these nuances allows you to strategically use sus chords to evoke specific emotions in your music.
1.3. Why Use Sus Chords in Your Guitar Playing?
Sus chords are a versatile tool for guitarists looking to add depth, emotion, and movement to their playing. They’re perfect for breaking up predictable chord progressions and creating a sense of anticipation and release. Guitarists use it to spice things up.
- Adds Color and Texture: Sus chords provide a richer, more complex sound than standard major or minor chords.
- Creates Movement: The unresolved nature of sus chords encourages melodic movement and resolution in chord progressions.
- Evokes Emotion: Sus chords can create a range of emotions, from gentle longing to powerful anticipation.
By incorporating sus chords into your playing, you can elevate your music and captivate your listeners.
2. Decoding Sus Guitar Chord Notation
Sus guitar chords are notated with “sus” followed by either “2” or “4” after the root note, indicating whether the second or fourth replaces the third. Understanding this notation is crucial for reading and playing sus chords accurately. To master this, you must understand music theory.
2.1. Understanding “Sus2” and “Sus4”
The terms “sus2” and “sus4” clearly indicate which interval replaces the third in the chord. This distinction is vital for proper chord construction and execution on the guitar.
- Sus2: Indicates the second replaces the third (e.g., Dsus2, Gsus2).
- Sus4: Indicates the fourth replaces the third (e.g., Dsus4, Gsus4).
2.2. Common Notational Variations
While “sus2” is consistently used, “sus4” is sometimes abbreviated to simply “sus.” Being aware of this variation will prevent confusion when reading chord charts and sheet music.
- Sus4: Can be written as “sus4” or “sus” (e.g., Gsus4 or Gsus).
2.3. Practical Examples of Sus Chord Notation
To solidify your understanding, here are a few practical examples of how sus chords are notated in real-world scenarios:
- Esus2: E Second Fifth
- Gsus4: G Fourth Fifth
- Asus: A Fourth Fifth (Same as Asus4)
- Bsus2: B Second Fifth
- Csus4: C Fourth Fifth
Familiarizing yourself with these examples will make navigating sus chord notation second nature.
3. Popular Sus2 and Sus4 Guitar Chords
Certain sus2 and sus4 guitar chords are more commonly used in music due to their ease of playability and pleasing sound. These chords often build upon familiar open chord shapes, making them accessible to guitarists of all skill levels.
3.1. Essential Open Position Sus Chords
Open position sus chords are a great starting point for exploring these voicings. They’re easy to finger and incorporate into your playing.
- Dsus2: Adds a bright, open sound to the D chord.
- Dsus4: Creates a gentle tension that resolves nicely to D.
- Esus2: Offers a shimmering, ethereal quality.
- Esus4: Provides a stronger, more dramatic suspension.
- Gsus4: Adds a touch of yearning and anticipation.
- Asus2: Enhances the A chord with a delicate, airy feel.
- Asus4: Creates a powerful, unresolved sound.
These open position sus chords are staples in many genres, from folk to rock, and offer a versatile palette for guitarists.
3.2. Chord Diagrams for Common Sus Chords
Visualizing chord diagrams can be incredibly helpful when learning new sus chords. Here are diagrams for the most commonly used sus chords:
| Chord | Diagram |
|---|---|
| Dsus2 | x00230 |
| Dsus4 | x00233 |
| Esus2 | 024400 |
| Esus4 | 022200 |
| Gsus4 | 320013 |
| Asus2 | x02200 |
| Asus4 | x02230 |
3.3. Tips for Mastering These Chords
Mastering these common sus chords involves a combination of proper finger placement, smooth transitions, and consistent practice. Here are a few tips to help you along the way:
- Focus on Clean Finger Placement: Ensure each finger is pressing down firmly behind the fret to avoid buzzing.
- Practice Smooth Transitions: Work on seamlessly moving between sus chords and their corresponding major or minor chords.
- Incorporate Them into Chord Progressions: Experiment with using sus chords in your own songs or practice progressions.
- Listen to How They’re Used in Music: Pay attention to how famous guitarists use sus chords in their playing.
With dedication and consistent practice, you’ll be able to incorporate these chords seamlessly into your guitar playing.
4. Discovering Movable Sus2 and Sus4 Guitar Chord Shapes
Movable sus2 and sus4 guitar chord shapes allow you to play these chords in any key, opening up a world of possibilities on the fretboard. By leveraging the CAGED system, you can easily adapt familiar chord shapes into movable sus voicings.
4.1. Utilizing the CAGED System
The CAGED system provides a framework for understanding how chord shapes relate to each other on the guitar. By recognizing the E, A, D, G, and C forms, you can easily create movable sus chord shapes.
- E Form: Easily adaptable to sus4 chords using barre chords.
- A Form: Can be transformed into both sus2 and sus4 barre chords.
- D Form: Offers unique movable sus chord shapes.
- G Form: Provides a movable sus2 chord shape.
4.2. E & G Form Sus Chords
The E and G forms of the CAGED system offer versatile movable sus chord shapes that can be played up and down the neck.
- E Form Sus4: Fingered like a traditional barre chord, offering a strong, movable sus4 voicing.
- G Form Sus2: Provides a brighter, more open sus2 sound that can be easily moved across the fretboard.
These shapes are invaluable for playing sus chords in different keys and positions.
4.3. A Form Sus Chords
The A form of the CAGED system yields both movable sus2 and sus4 barre chords, providing a comprehensive set of options for playing these chords in any key.
- A Form Sus2: Played as a barre chord, offering a bright and airy sus2 sound.
- A Form Sus4: Also played as a barre chord, providing a powerful and unresolved sus4 voicing.
4.4. D Form Sus Chords
The D form of the CAGED system offers unique movable sus chord shapes that are different from the barre chord shapes of the E and A forms.
5. How to Use Suspended Guitar Chords
Suspended guitar chords are versatile tools for adding color and movement to your playing. They can be used to create tension and release, enhance chord progressions, and add emotional depth to your music.
5.1. Creating Movement Around a Single Root
One of the most common uses of sus chords is to create movement around a single root note. This technique involves alternating between a major or minor chord and its corresponding sus chord, creating a sense of push and pull.
- Example: D – Dsus4 creates a gentle, rocking motion.
- Example: Am – Asus2 adds a touch of yearning and resolution.
This technique is widely used in popular music to add interest and depth to chord progressions.
5.2. Queen’s “Crazy Little Thing Called Love”
Queen’s “Crazy Little Thing Called Love” features a classic example of using sus chords to create movement around a single root. The intro riff alternates between a D major chord and a Dsus4 chord, adding a lively, dynamic feel.
The back-and-forth between D and Dsus4 is what makes that song such a banger.
5.3. Led Zeppelin’s “Tangerine”
Led Zeppelin’s “Tangerine” showcases the use of both sus2 and sus4 chords to create movement around a single root. The opening riff features a progression of Am – Asus4 – Asus2, adding a delicate, ethereal quality to the song.
The use of Asus2 and Asus4 is what gives this song a nice ring to it.
5.4. Using Sus Chords in Chord Progressions
Sus chords can also be incorporated into chord progressions to add color and interest. However, it’s important to note that they don’t always work as direct substitutions for major or minor chords, as their unique sound may clash with the diatonic harmony of a key.
- Example: A – B – C#m can be transformed into A – Bsus2 – C#m, adding a touch of brightness and movement.
When used thoughtfully, sus chords can enhance chord progressions and create a more compelling listening experience.
6. Incorporating Sus Chords into Your Own Guitar Music
Incorporating sus chords into your own guitar music involves experimentation, creativity, and a willingness to explore new sonic possibilities. By understanding the unique qualities of sus chords and how they interact with other chords, you can add depth, emotion, and originality to your compositions.
6.1. Experimenting with Different Voicings
One of the best ways to incorporate sus chords into your music is to experiment with different voicings and inversions. Try playing sus chords in different positions on the neck, using different fingerings, and exploring different combinations of notes.
- Example: Try playing a Dsus2 chord in open position, then try playing it as a barre chord on the fifth fret.
- Example: Experiment with different inversions of sus chords, such as placing the second or fourth in the bass.
By exploring different voicings, you can discover new and interesting sounds that will enhance your music.
6.2. Creating Tension and Release
Sus chords are excellent for creating tension and release in your music. By using sus chords to build tension and then resolving them to major or minor chords, you can create a sense of anticipation and satisfaction for your listeners.
- Example: Use a Dsus4 chord to build tension and then resolve it to a D major chord.
- Example: Use an Asus2 chord to create a sense of yearning and then resolve it to an A major chord.
This technique is widely used in popular music to create emotional depth and impact.
6.3. Adding Color to Chord Progressions
Sus chords can also be used to add color and interest to chord progressions. By substituting sus chords for major or minor chords, you can create a more complex and nuanced sound that will captivate your listeners.
- Example: Substitute a Gsus4 chord for a G major chord in a chord progression.
- Example: Replace an Asus2 chord for an A major chord in a song.
6.4. Writing a Song with Sus Chords
To solidify your understanding of how to use sus chords in your music, try writing a song that features them prominently. Start by choosing a key and a basic chord progression, then experiment with substituting sus chords for major or minor chords.
- Example: Write a song in the key of D major that features the chords D, Dsus4, G, and A.
- Example: Compose a song in the key of A minor that includes the chords Am, Asus2, F, and C.
As you write, pay attention to how the sus chords affect the overall sound and feel of the song, and make adjustments as needed.
7. Advanced Sus Chord Techniques
For guitarists looking to push their skills further, advanced sus chord techniques offer exciting new avenues for expression and creativity. These techniques involve exploring more complex voicings, incorporating sus chords into solos and fills, and using them in unconventional ways.
7.1. Exploring Complex Sus Chord Voicings
Beyond the basic sus2 and sus4 chords, there are many more complex voicings to explore. These voicings often involve adding additional notes, such as sevenths, ninths, or thirteenths, to create richer and more nuanced sounds.
- Example: Try playing a Dsus2add9 chord, which includes the root, second, fifth, and ninth.
- Example: Experiment with playing a Gsus4add7 chord, which includes the root, fourth, fifth, and seventh.
By exploring these complex voicings, you can expand your sonic palette and add new dimensions to your playing.
7.2. Incorporating Sus Chords into Solos and Fills
Sus chords can also be used effectively in solos and fills to add color, tension, and release. By incorporating sus chords into your lead playing, you can create more interesting and dynamic solos that will captivate your audience.
- Example: Use a Dsus4 chord as a passing chord in a solo over a D major progression.
- Example: Incorporate an Asus2 chord into a fill to add a touch of brightness and resolution.
This approach gives you the opportunity to sound unique.
7.3. Unconventional Uses of Sus Chords
For guitarists who truly want to push the boundaries, there are many unconventional ways to use sus chords in their music. These techniques involve using sus chords in unexpected contexts, such as dissonant harmonies, atonal compositions, or experimental soundscapes.
- Example: Use a sus chord as a dissonant counterpoint to a major chord, creating a sense of unease and tension.
- Example: Incorporate sus chords into an atonal composition to add color and texture.
By exploring these unconventional uses of sus chords, you can create truly original and innovative music.
8. Sus Chords in Different Musical Genres
Sus chords are versatile and used across many musical genres, adding unique flavors to each. Understanding how different genres use sus chords can inspire you to incorporate them creatively into your own playing.
8.1. Rock Music
In rock music, sus chords are often used to add power and emotion to chord progressions. They create tension and release, adding depth to riffs and solos.
- Examples: The Who’s “Baba O’Riley” and Guns N’ Roses’ “Patience.”
8.2. Pop Music
Pop music uses sus chords to create catchy hooks and memorable melodies. They add a contemporary feel to chord progressions, making songs more engaging.
- Examples: Coldplay’s “Clocks” and Taylor Swift’s “You Belong With Me.”
8.3. Folk Music
In folk music, sus chords provide a gentle, flowing quality that enhances the storytelling aspect. They add subtle emotional nuances, making songs more intimate.
- Examples: Simon & Garfunkel’s “Scarborough Fair” and Joni Mitchell’s “Both Sides Now.”
8.4. Jazz Music
Jazz music uses sus chords to create complex harmonies and improvisational opportunities. They add sophistication and allow for rich, expressive solos.
- Examples: Miles Davis’ “So What” and Herbie Hancock’s “Maiden Voyage.”
9. Famous Guitarists Who Use Sus Chords
Many famous guitarists use sus chords to add depth, emotion, and originality to their playing. Studying how these guitarists incorporate sus chords into their music can provide valuable insights and inspiration.
9.1. Jimmy Page (Led Zeppelin)
Jimmy Page, the legendary guitarist of Led Zeppelin, frequently used sus chords to create atmospheric textures and dynamic chord progressions. His use of sus chords in songs like “Tangerine” helped define the band’s signature sound.
9.2. Brian May (Queen)
Brian May, the guitarist of Queen, is known for his innovative use of sus chords to create complex harmonies and soaring melodies. His use of sus chords in songs like “Crazy Little Thing Called Love” added a unique flavor to the band’s music.
9.3. Joni Mitchell
Joni Mitchell, the iconic singer-songwriter, used sus chords extensively in her acoustic guitar playing to create delicate, flowing melodies and emotionally resonant chord progressions. Her use of sus chords in songs like “Both Sides Now” helped define her signature style.
9.4. The Edge (U2)
The Edge, the guitarist of U2, is known for his atmospheric and effects-laden guitar playing. He often uses sus chords to create shimmering textures and ethereal soundscapes, adding a unique dimension to the band’s music.
10. FAQ About Sus Guitar Chords
Got questions about sus guitar chords? Here are some frequently asked questions to help you better understand and use these versatile chords:
10.1. What exactly does “sus” mean in guitar chords?
“Sus” stands for suspended, indicating that the third of the chord is replaced by either the second or fourth interval, creating a suspended or unresolved sound.
10.2. How do I know when to use a sus2 or sus4 chord?
Use a sus2 chord for a brighter, more open sound, often resolving upwards, and a sus4 chord for a stronger, more yearning sound, usually resolving downwards.
10.3. Can sus chords be used in any key?
Yes, sus chords can be used in any key by using movable chord shapes or transposing them to fit the key of the song.
10.4. Are sus chords major or minor?
No, sus chords are neither major nor minor because they lack the third interval that defines the chord’s quality.
10.5. What’s the difference between a sus chord and an add chord?
A sus chord replaces the third, while an add chord adds an additional note (like the 2nd or 4th) without removing any existing notes.
10.6. Do sus chords always have to resolve?
While sus chords often resolve to a major or minor chord, they can also be left unresolved to create a unique, ambiguous sound.
10.7. Are there any songs that heavily feature sus chords?
Yes, “Crazy Little Thing Called Love” by Queen and “Tangerine” by Led Zeppelin are examples of songs that prominently feature sus chords.
10.8. Can I use sus chords in a blues progression?
Yes, sus chords can add a unique twist to blues progressions, creating interesting harmonies and melodic possibilities.
10.9. How do I create my own sus chord voicings?
Experiment with different fingerings and positions on the neck, focusing on replacing the third with either the second or fourth interval.
10.10. Where can I learn more about sus chords and guitar theory?
Guitarplayers.net offers lessons, tabs, and a community where you can deepen your understanding of sus chords and guitar theory.
Conclusion: Unlock Your Guitar Potential with Sus Chords
Sus guitar chords are a powerful tool for any guitarist looking to add depth, emotion, and originality to their playing. Whether you’re a beginner or an experienced player, understanding and incorporating sus chords into your music can open up a world of new sonic possibilities.
Explore lessons, tabs, and connect with a community of passionate guitarists at guitarplayers.net. Enhance your skills, discover new sounds, and unleash your full musical potential.
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