MusicRadar The No.1 website for musicians
  • Guitars
  • Tech
  • Drums
  • Acoustic
  • Bass
  • NAMM 2019 news
Magazines
  • Future Music
  • Total Guitar
  • Computer Music
  • Guitarist
  • Guitar Techniques
  • Rhythm
  • Acoustic Magazine
  • Bass Guitar Magazine
More
  • Gear reviews
  • Best audio interfaces
  • Best electronic drum kits
  • Best electric guitars
  • Free samples
  • Tuition
  • Learn Ableton Live
  • iOS music making apps
  • Tuition
  • Guitars
  • 30-day guitar challenge, day 13: Learn suspended chords

30-day guitar challenge, day 13: Learn suspended chords

By Adrian Clark (Guitarist) 2015-08-13T10:55:00.224ZGuitars 

Sus4 and sus2 shapes sussed out

Shares
Esus2

Esus2

30-day guitar challenge: The sus4 is a familiar seasoning to many a chord progression, but why not look further into suspensions?

There are two basic types, the suspended 4th and the suspended 2nd (sus2). Here’s a simple, if stretchy, sus2 shape.

Page 1 of 4
Page 1 of 4
A9sus4

A9sus4

This 9sus4 has a lovely jazzy, Steely Dan kind of sound. Shift it up three frets for a mid-70s Motown feel.

Unlike a standard sus4, it’s in no hurry to resolve to a straight major chord.

Page 2 of 4
Page 2 of 4
G7sus4

G7sus4

Is it? No, it isn’t! Sharp-eared archivists have established that the Hard Day’s Night chord is a lot more complex than this, with several layers. It’s not bad as a compromise, though.

Page 3 of 4
Page 3 of 4
Esus#4

Esus#4

You can theoretically also suspend the augmented 4th (the tritone) for this menacing metal-friendly sound.

Perfect for soloing over with E Lydian (E F# G# A# B C# D#).

Page 4 of 4
Page 4 of 4
Shares
The magazine for serious players
Subscribe and save today!
More Info

The best of MusicRadar in your inbox

Don't miss the latest deals, news, reviews, features and tutorials

No spam, we promise. You can unsubscribe at any time and we'll never share your details without your permission.
  1. 1

    Ryan Adams dropped by guitar, amp and pedal companies following sexual misconduct allegations

  2. 2

    Tone makers - David Main: “I’ve never owned a pedalboard... I just use one fuzz pedal”

  3. 3

    Classic gear: Gibson Super 400CES

  4. 4

    5 guitar tricks you can learn from Robin Trower

  5. 5

    Space: “I actually wrote all the songs just on a bass. No guitar. All of them. I was trying to be Cypress Hill”

  1. 1

    Vivian Campbell: "For the first time in my professional career, I actually planned my solos!"

  2. 2

    Tone makers - David Main: “I’ve never owned a pedalboard... I just use one fuzz pedal”

  3. 3

    5 guitar tricks you can learn from Robin Trower

  4. 4

    16 Cubase secrets you might not know about

  5. 5

    6 ways to use panning to perfect your stereo width

MusicRadar is part of Future plc, an international media group and leading digital publisher. Visit our corporate site.

  • About Us
  • Terms and conditions
  • Privacy policy
  • Cookies policy

© Future Publishing Limited Quay House, The Ambury, Bath BA1 1UA. All rights reserved. England and Wales company registration number 2008885.