Suspended chords sound like their name. They can be used as chord in their own right, or can be used to embellish a chord sequence. They are very common and once you learn them, you will start to hear them being used when you listen to music, because the sound is quite distinctive. They are pretty easy to play - and the big task is to try and work them into your playing so that they just happen naturally without having to think about it too much.

Video Lesson

 

Asus4 and Asus2

Both Asus4 and Asus2 can replace either A or A minor (though if you are using them to replace a minor, you might like to change the fingering rather than have to lift all your fingers off) - just remember that as long as you have the right dots pressed down that it is not important (with these) which fingers you use..

Asus4 - There are many ways to finger this chord. The fingering shown here is pretty standard, but would be the fingering you used from the 'old skool' way of playing A, with the three fingers in a row - in which case you just add in your 4th finger to make the Asus4. You can leave the 3rd finger behind it if you like, it makes no difference.

If you have learnt it the way I recommend in the beginners course here on the site you will still add your 4th finger but the 1st and 2nd fingers will be swapped over...

You can also play it by sliding your 3rd finger forward from the regular A shape. If you were playing an A min-barre you would probably use your 3rd finger to play the sus, but it wouldn't matter which finger you used!

From an Amin chord you would just add your 4th finger.

Asus2 - This again is the "old skool" fingering - if you are doing this course and have learned the A chord with the 1/2 swap (my recommended version) then the fingering shown will be swapped around. (*see below) From a minor chord you would just lift off your first finger and use fingers 2/3.

Old Skool - so why do I show it here? Well I'm glad you asked... The fingering that I show you for the A chord way back in the early lessons in great for starting out your chord changes, but sometimes the swap can get in the way - and using the Sus chords is one of the ways that I find uncomfortable, so I guess that you might too. Realistically - you want to be able to play A chord the way that I teach you in this course as well as the old 1/2/3 in a line method, as well as the mini-barre method. Each one has pro's and con's and will be better in different circumstances - so learn all of them!

 

 

Dsus4 and Dsus2

These two variations can of course replace either D or Dmin. These are used a LOT, they are often used quite quickly too as an embellishment (Dead or Alive by Bon Jovi is an excellent example). They are pretty easy to play, easy to remember, don't need any funny fingering changes and sound cool.

Dsus4 - Just like playing a regular D chord but add your little finger under your 3rd finger. Pretty easy one really...

Of course if you come from a minor chord the fingers will be totally different again - just remember that as long as you have the right dots pressed down that it is not important (with these) which fingers you use. In this case you will probably be using 2nd, 3rd and 4th fingers to fret your Dsus4 chord coming from a minor..

Dsus2 - Start with a regular D and then lift off your 2nd finger. Make sure that your 3rd finger is not touching the 1st string or it won't sound and then it will not sound suspended!

 

 

E, Esus4

This is generally the fingering that you use for a Esus4 whether you have come from Major or minor. Note that there is not a proper open chord for Esus2 - there is a way of playing it but it is not very common, not very easy and sounds a little strange, so I have left it out.

A Touch of Theory...

Chords are generally made up of three notes, called a root, 3rd and 5th - they actually the first, third and fifth notes of a major scale if you really want to know. It's the 3rd that makes a chord major or minor - ever notice that only one changes when we change a chord from major to minor? :)

Suspended means "take away the third and replace with..." so suspended chords are neither major or minor, and that is why they sound so cool!

More theory if you want it in Practical Music Theory!

How to Practice Sus Chords...

They can be used either as a cool sounding chords in their own right or as 'ornamental' chords that you might use to embellish a simple chord progression. This second way is the most common so the best way to play them is with their 'parent' chords (both major and minor).

For example, you might play D, Dsus4, D, Dsus2 over an over. Get used to embellishing the D chord with the suspended sounds. Then you might try Dmin, Dsus2, Dmin, Dsus4, Dmin so you get used to the sus sounds with the minors too. They really are cool chords to get down.

Do that with each set of chords and listen out for them in the "real world" because you can copy ideas once you have heard them and they are in your head!

Now it's time to work on your changes again in BC-174 • 1 minute changes

 

HELP!!!!

If you need to ask a question about this lesson - there is a topic set up specifically to help you with this lesson. To help you find it easily you can click the following link and it will take you right the topic. You'll be able to see questions that other people had and ask your own questions! Hopefully one of the very helpful members of our community will be there to help you soon, I do go there and answer stuff too - but there are just too many questions for me to answer alone! So click this link to get help with this lesson!

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