If you've been reading all the other chord construction entries this should make perfect sense. If you haven't then can I suggest you back track and read those first. I'll make a lot more sense if you do.
Suspended chords The two suspended chords that I'm going to discuss here. sus2 and sus4. Sus2 A sus2 chord has a scale spelling of 1, 2, 5. Yep that's right, no third. This means it's neither a major or a minor chord. So, as usual using C. 1 = C 2 = D 5 = G Sus4 You can probably now work out that a sus4 chord has a scale spelling of 1,4, 5. Again in C this gives you. 1 = C 4 = F 5 = G Really good examples of the use of a sus4 chord is the intro to Crazy Little Thing Called Love by Queen or Pinball Wizard by The Who. 5th Chords A very simple chord this one. It's scale spelling is 1, 5, 8 so all you're getting is the root note, the fifth and the octave. Once again in C 1 = C 5 = G 8 = C A lot of people don't actually play the octave, but as this particular chord is fairly neutral in sound and sonically has very few overtones it sounds great when used with an overdriven or distorted sound. That's why this chord is loved by rock guitarists the world over. Also, when used with Pentatonic scales it's pretty hard to make it sound absolutely rubbish as all the complex notes from both the chord and the scales are missing. |