Chords
Sus chord (sus2, sus4)
A sus (suspended) chord replaces the third with the fourth (sus4: 1 4 5) or the second (sus2: 1 2 5), so it is neither major nor minor.
What is a sus2 or sus4 chord?
"Sus" is short for suspended: the chord's third is removed and replaced by a neighbouring note.
- sus4 = 1 4 5: the third moves up to the perfect fourth. Dsus4 = D G A.
- sus2 = 1 2 5: the third moves down to the major second. Dsus2 = D E A.
With no third, the chord is neither major nor minor. It sounds open and expectant, and it usually wants to return to the major chord (or minor chord) on the same root. "Sus" on its own means sus4.
How do you play sus chords on guitar?
The most useful open shapes, from low E to high E:
| Chord | Shape | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Dsus4 | xx0233 | D A D G |
| Dsus2 | xx0230 | D A D E |
| Asus4 | x02230 | A E A D E |
| Asus2 | x02200 | A E A B E |
| Esus4 | 022200 | E B E A B E |
| Gsus4 | 330013 | G C D G C G |
| Csus2 | x30013 | C D G C G |
Movable barre shapes with the root on the 5th string: Csus4 = x35563 (C G C F G), Csus2 = x35533 (C G C D G). Slide them to reach any key.
Exercise: suspend, then resolve
The classic move is a decoration around an open chord. On D, keep your fingers down and change only the 1st string:
- D
xx0232(F♯) - Dsus4
xx0233(G, little finger on the 3rd fret) - D
xx0232 - Dsus2
xx0230(E, open string) - D
xx0232
The moving note falls or rises back to the third, F♯: that is the "resolution" of the suspension. Try the same thing on A (x02230, x02220, x02200).
The 7sus4 chord and ambiguous sus chords
A sus chord can take a seventh too. G7sus4 = G C D F, played as the barre 353533. It often replaces or sets up the dominant seventh G7 (353433): G7sus4, G7, C. In modern pop and jazz, the 7sus4 even works as a dominant on its own, softer than G7.
One more quirk: Csus2 (C D G) and Gsus4 (G C D) contain the same notes. Only the bass decides the name. Enter C, D and G in the chord identifier and it offers both names depending on the lowest note. That is a good reason to choose the voicing and the bass of your sus chords carefully.
Common mistakes with sus chords
- Confusing sus2 with add9: Csus2 (C D G) has no third, Cadd9 (C E G D,
x32030) keeps it. - Writing "Amsus4": with no third there is nothing minor left. Asus4 is enough.
- Playing sus4 against the melody's third: if the singer holds F♯ over D, Dsus4 (with its G) creates a semitone clash.
Key takeaways
- sus4 = 1 4 5, sus2 = 1 2 5: the third is replaced.
- Neither major nor minor, with an open, waiting colour.
- Core shapes: Dsus4
xx0233, Dsus2xx0230, Asus4x02230, Csus4x35563. - G7sus4 sets up or replaces G7 in a cadence to C.
Frequently asked questions
What is the difference between sus2 and sus4?
Sus2 replaces the third with the second (Dsus2 = D E A), sus4 replaces it with the fourth (Dsus4 = D G A). Sus4 sounds tenser and wants to resolve, while sus2 sounds airier and more stable.
Is a sus chord major or minor?
Neither, because it has no third. Dsus4 can resolve to D or to Dm: the G simply falls to F♯ or to F.
What does "sus" mean without a number?
By convention, "Gsus" means Gsus4 (G C D). If the writer wanted the second, they write Gsus2 (G A D) explicitly.
Related terms
Practise in the workshop
Take it from theory to the fretboard
Open the workshop tools and see this idea across the whole neck. Free account, no card needed.