Online Bass Instruction with Rusty Springfield
Suspended Chords

Suspended chords, or "sus 4" chords as they're commonly known, utilize the fourth degree of the scale in place of the third. They are used extensively in classic rock and pop tunes. ("Gimme Shelter," "Tommy," "Hot Blooded.")

A Csus4 chord contains C-F-G.

A C7sus4 chord contains C-F-G-Bb.

Usually, but not always, the suspended 4th resolves back to the 3rd of the chord. This can provide movement to an otherwise static chord structure.

eg: Csus> C or C7sus> C7

The following chords are usually found in a jazz context, but are in the same "sus" family. They often don't resolve. Note that the eleventh degree is the same as the fourth degree but appears an octave higher in a chord structure example template built on thirds.

A C11 chord contains C-F-G-Bb-D.

A C11(13) chord contains C-F-G-Bb-D-A.

More info on these types of chords coming up in the next fun filled chapter...
Go to the next lesson: Tensions