Suspended 4th Triad

What Is a Suspended 4th Triad?

A suspended 4th triad (sus4) replaces the third of a triad with a perfect fourth. Instead of C-E-G (major) or C-E♭-G (minor), you get C-F-G. Like the sus2, this removes the major/minor character and creates an open, held sound.

Sus4 is more common than sus2 in modern music. The fourth is often used as a temporary placeholder before resolving back to the major third, though contemporary music often uses sus4 chords as standalone colour chords.

How to Build a Sus4 Triad

Example: C Sus4 Triad

• C (root)
• F (5 semitones up from C = perfect fourth)
• G (2 semitones up from F = perfect fifth, or 7 semitones up from C)

Sus4 vs. Sus2 vs. Major vs. Minor

The Sound of Sus4

Open, suspended, grounded, held, anticipatory, bright.

Sus4 triads sound contemporary but more grounded than sus2. The fourth is a naturally tense interval that creates a sense of waiting or anticipation. In classical harmony, sus4 chords typically resolve down to a major third, but in modern music they often stand alone.

All 12 Sus4 Triads

Sus4 Resolution

In classical voice leading, sus4 chords almost always resolve down to a major chord by dropping the fourth to a third:

However, modern music often uses sus4 chords without resolution, using them as standalone colour chords or switching freely to other chords.

How to Use Sus4 Chords

1. As a transition: Use sus4 as a bridge between major and minor chords.

2. In rock and pop: Sus4 chords are everywhere in contemporary music. Csus4 is probably the most used sus chord in modern rock.

3. Resolved suspension: Follow sus4 with a major chord for the classical resolution effect.

4. Arpeggiated: Break the sus4 into individual notes for open, expansive melodies.

5. As standalone colour: Use sus4 chords for their unique character without needing resolution.