Exploring the Art of Utilizing Suspended Chords in Guitar Playing

When a musician decides to add some unique flavor and movement to their chord progressions, suspended chords often emerge as a powerful and versatile instrument. In this article, we will delve into the intricacies of using suspended chords on the guitar and provide practical examples and insights from renowned guitarist Pete Townshend of The Who. By the end of this article, you will have a comprehensive understanding of when and how to best utilize suspended chords in your guitar playing.

Understanding Suspended Chords

Suspending chords are a technique used to enhance the harmonic structure of a progression, introducing a sense of tension and resolution. This technique typically involves replacing the 3rd of a chord with either the 2nd (sus2) or 4th (sus4) scale degree. The suspended fourth is particularly popular as it can add depth and interest to a progression.

For instance, Pete Townshend, the iconic guitarist from The Who, has mastered the art of utilizing suspended chords to great effect. He harnesses the tension created by the suspended fourth, which hangs over the chord and creates a sense of dissonance that resolves beautifully when the third comes back into play. This technique is commonly used in progressions and provides a fresh and dynamic sound that can elevate the overall composition of a song.

Common Suspended Chords in Contemporary Music

In contemporary music, suspensions are commonly performed by replacing the 3rd with the 2nd or 4th scale degrees. Let's explore these two primary types of suspended chords:

Sus2 Chord: This chord features a root, the 2nd scale degree, and the perfect 5th. For example, a Dsus2 chord consists of D (root), E (sus2), and A (perfect 5th). Sus4 Chord: This chord includes a root, the 4th scale degree, and the perfect 5th. For instance, a Dsus4 chord comprises D (root), G (sus4), and A (perfect 5th).

Both these chords are often used to provide a feeling of unresolved tension and complete resolution once the 3rd is reintroduced. For a sus2 chord, the 2nd scale degree wishes to resolve upwards, while for a sus4 chord, the 4th scale degree aims to drop down to the 3rd.

Practical Examples and Usage

Let's consider an example of where suspended chords can be used effectively. In the song “Blowin’ in the Wind,” the following progression is commonly found:

G C G Em G C D7 D7 (repeat D7 after the first one and let it resolve to the second D7)

The use of suspended 4th could make the progression more interesting. By replacing the first D7 chord with a suspended 4th, the progression becomes:

G C Dsus4 D7

In this instance, the Dsus4 chord can be played by placing your finger on the 3rd fret of the 1st string (G note) of the D7 chord, and then allowing the resolution back to D7 when the 4th scale degree (G) drops down to the 3rd scale degree (F#).

These suspended chords can be integrated into various chord progressions, adding a dynamic and versatile sound. Here are a few more examples:

Using Suspensions in Minor Progressions

Consider the melody line of the song “Blowin’ in the Wind” where a suspended 4th can enhance the harmonies:

Cm Eb Ab Gsus4 G

Similarly, for a suspended 2nd, the usage in a progression could look like this:

Bsus2 Gsus2 Asus2 Esus2 E

In both instances, these sus chords add a unique flavor to the song, creating a sense of anticipation and resolution that can captivate your audience.

Conclusion

Understanding and utilizing suspended chords can significantly enhance your guitar playing, especially when it comes to crafting catchy and dynamic chord progressions. By harnessing the power of suspended 4ths and 2nds, you can introduce moments of harmonic interest and tension that enhance your music.