Suspended Chords Explained: Sus2 and Sus4 on Guitar

Suspended chords are the secret ingredient that makes acoustic strumming shimmer and rock riffs feel unresolved. If you’ve ever heard a chord that sounded like it was “hanging in the air” waiting to land somewhere, you’ve heard a suspended chord.

They’re called “suspended” because the third - the note that makes a chord major or minor - is replaced by either the 2nd or 4th scale degree, creating a chord that’s neither happy nor sad. It just… floats.

Quick Start: What Suspended Chords Sound Like

Play these three chords in order:

Asus4: x-0-2-2-3-0
A major: x-0-2-2-2-0
Asus2: x-0-2-2-0-0

Hear that? The sus4 feels like it’s pushing forward, wanting to resolve. The major chord is the resolution. The sus2 feels open and airy, like a question being asked.

That push-and-release between suspended and resolved chords is one of the most satisfying sounds in music.

The Theory: Why They’re “Suspended”

A standard major chord has three notes: root, 3rd, 5th.

In a suspended chord, the 3rd is replaced (not added to - replaced):

Chord Type	Notes	Formula
Major	Root, 3rd, 5th	1 – 3 – 5
Sus4	Root, 4th, 5th	1 – 4 – 5
Sus2	Root, 2nd, 5th	1 – 2 – 5

Because there’s no 3rd, the chord is neither major nor minor. This ambiguity is what creates the “suspended” feeling - the chord wants to resolve to either major or minor, but it hasn’t committed yet.

Essential Sus Chord Shapes

A Suspended Chords

Asus2: x-0-2-2-0-0 (lift ring finger from A major)
Asus4: x-0-2-2-3-0 (add pinky to 3rd fret, 2nd string)

D Suspended Chords

Dsus2: x-x-0-2-3-0 (lift index finger from D major)
Dsus4: x-x-0-2-3-3 (add pinky to 3rd fret, 1st string)

E Suspended Chords

Esus4: 0-2-2-2-0-0 (add ring finger to 2nd fret, 3rd string)
Esus2: These are tricky in open position - easier as barre shapes

C Suspended Chords

Csus2: x-3-0-0-1-0 (replace the C major shape slightly)
Csus4: x-3-3-0-1-0 (add a finger to 3rd fret, 4th string)

G Suspended Chords

Gsus4: 3-3-0-0-1-3 or 3-x-0-0-1-3
Gsus2: 3-0-0-0-0-3

How to Use Suspended Chords

1. The Classic Resolution (sus4 → Major)

This is the most common use. Play the sus4, then resolve to the major chord:

Dsus4 → D → Dsus2 → D

You hear this in countless acoustic songs. The Who’s “Pinball Wizard” opens with a relentless Bsus4-to-B resolution. Pete Townshend built an entire career on this technique.

2. Replacing Major Chords for Color

Instead of strumming a plain D chord for an entire bar, alternate between D, Dsus4, and Dsus2. This creates movement without actually changing chords. It’s what makes songs like “Wonderwall” by Oasis sound so rich even though the harmonic structure is simple.

3. Creating Ambiguity

Because sus chords are neither major nor minor, they work beautifully in transitions. Use a sus chord between a major and minor section to blur the boundary:

G → Gsus4 → Am

The Gsus4 acts as a bridge, softening the shift from major to minor.

4. Pedal Tone Riffs

Keep the top strings ringing open while changing the bass note:

Asus2 → Csus2 → Dsus2 → Asus2

All three chords share the open 1st and 2nd strings, creating a shimmering pedal tone effect. This is a staple of modern worship, ambient, and indie rock guitar.

Songs That Use Suspended Chords

“Pinball Wizard” – The Who - Bsus4/B resolution drives the entire intro.
“Wonderwall” – Oasis - Constant sus2/sus4 embellishments over the basic chord shapes.
“Crazy Little Thing Called Love” – Queen - Dsus4 to D resolution.
“Free Fallin’” – Tom Petty - The sus4 flavor in the chord changes.
“Every Breath You Take” – The Police - Asus2 and sus4 movement throughout.

Common Mistakes

1. Treating sus chords as passing only. While they often resolve to major, sus chords can stand on their own. DADGAD tuning is essentially a giant Dsus4 chord, and entire songs live in that sound.

2. Confusing “add” chords with “sus” chords. An Aadd9 chord adds the 9th (same as 2nd) while keeping the 3rd. Asus2 replaces the 3rd with the 2nd. They sound different because one has four notes and the other has three.

3. Over-using sus chords. A little goes a long way. If every chord is suspended, nothing feels suspended - the effect comes from the contrast with regular major and minor chords.

4. Only playing sus4. Sus2 chords are equally useful and have a more open, modern sound. Don’t neglect them.

Practice Exercises

Exercise 1: Resolution Drills

Play each pattern four times through at 65 BPM:

Asus4 → A → Asus2 → A
Dsus4 → D → Dsus2 → D
Esus4 → E (four beats each)

Exercise 2: Embellished Progression

Play G → D → Em → C, but add sus4/sus2 passing chords: G → Gsus4 → G | D → Dsus4 → D | Em | C → Csus2 → C

Exercise 3: Write a Riff

Create an 8-bar riff using only sus2, sus4, and major chords in the key of D. Experiment with which resolution sounds best to your ear.

Try This in Guitar Wiz

Look up any chord in the Chord Library - try “Dsus4” or “Asus2” - to see the exact finger positions alongside the standard major version. Guitar Wiz shows you how these shapes relate to each other on the fretboard, making it easy to see which finger moves to create the suspended sound. Pair this with the Metronome to practice smooth resolution patterns at a steady tempo.

Download Guitar Wiz on the App Store · Explore the Chord Library →

FAQ

What does “sus” mean in a chord name?

“Sus” is short for “suspended.” It means the 3rd of the chord is suspended - replaced by either the 2nd (sus2) or 4th (sus4).

Is sus2 the same as add9?

No. Sus2 replaces the 3rd with the 2nd. Add9 keeps the 3rd and adds the 9th (which is the 2nd an octave up). They have different note counts and sound different.

Can I use sus chords in any genre?

Absolutely. They appear in rock, pop, folk, country, jazz, worship, and ambient music. They’re one of the most versatile chord types.