Sus2 Chord: The Open and Airy Suspended Harmony

Summary:

The sus2 chord (suspended second) replaces the third of a major chord with the second scale degree, creating an open, ambiguous harmony that neither sounds major nor minor. This versatile chord adds color, creates smooth voice leading, and provides a sense of spaciousness that has made it popular across rock, pop, folk, and contemporary music.

Keywords:

Sus2 chord, suspended second, add9, open harmony, ambiguous tonality, voice leading, contemporary harmony, folk music, rock music.

Introduction:

The sus2 chord represents one of music's most versatile and modern-sounding harmonies. By replacing the third with the second scale degree, this chord creates an open, floating quality that avoids the definitiveness of major or minor tonality. The resulting harmony feels spacious and unresolved, making it perfect for creating atmosphere and smooth transitions.

Originally developed from classical suspension principles, the sus2 chord has evolved into a fundamental component of contemporary music. Its ability to create both tension and beauty simultaneously has made it a favorite among singer-songwriters, rock bands, and film composers seeking to evoke specific emotional landscapes.

Structure and Construction:

A sus2 chord consists of:

• Root: The foundation note
• Second: 2 semitones above the root (major second)
• Fifth: 7 semitones above the root (perfect fifth)

Examples:

C sus2 Chord:

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Sus2 Chord Progressions:

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Sus2 to Major Resolution:

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Harmonic Character:

The sus2 chord creates distinctive harmonic qualities:

• Open sound: Spacious and airy texture
• Ambiguous tonality: Neither major nor minor
• Mild tension: Gentle dissonance that doesn't demand resolution
• Contemporary feel: Modern, sophisticated sound
• Stable instability: Can function as both tension and resolution

Relationship to Add9 Chords:

Sus2 chords are closely related to add9 harmonies:

• Add9: Contains root, third, fifth, and ninth (second)
• Sus2: Contains root, second, and fifth (no third)
• Voicing similarity: Can be voiced identically in upper registers
• Functional equivalence: Often used interchangeably

Voice Leading Applications:

Sus2 chords excel in smooth voice leading:

• Stepwise motion: Natural movement between chords
• Common tones: Shared notes between harmonies
• Chromatic approaches: Leading tones to target chords
• Pedal tones: Maintaining bass notes through changes

Smooth Voice Leading Example:

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Popular Music Usage:

Sus2 chords appear frequently in contemporary styles:

• Folk music: Open, natural sound
• Rock music: Power chord alternatives
• Pop ballads: Emotional color and atmosphere
• Ambient music: Floating, ethereal textures
• Film scores: Pastoral and introspective scenes

Famous Musical Examples:

Notable uses of sus2 chords:

• "Wonderful Tonight": Eric Clapton's signature sound
• "Angie": Rolling Stones' emotional ballad
• "Fire and Rain": James Taylor's folk-rock classic
• "Message in a Bottle": The Police's distinctive harmony
• Celtic music: Traditional and modern arrangements

Guitar Voicings:

Sus2 chords are particularly effective on guitar:

• Open strings: Natural sus2 voicings with open strings
• Barre chords: Moveable sus2 shapes
• Power chord variations: Adding the second to power chords
• Fingerpicking patterns: Arpeggiated sus2 textures

Piano Techniques:

Effective piano approaches to sus2 chords:

• Broken chord patterns: Arpeggiated sus2 harmonies
• Pedal techniques: Sustaining open harmonies
• Block voicings: Full sus2 chord statements
• Impressionistic style: Debussy-influenced textures

Resolution Patterns:

While sus2 chords don't require resolution, common patterns include:

• To major: Second moves down to the major third
• To minor: Second moves down to the minor third
• Parallel motion: Sus2 chords moving in parallel
• Static harmony: Remaining on sus2 for extended periods

Modal Applications:

Sus2 chords work effectively in modal contexts:

• Dorian mode: Natural sus2 harmonies
• Mixolydian mode: Contemporary rock and folk sounds
• Pentatonic scales: Natural melodic compatibility
• Celtic modes: Traditional and atmospheric qualities

Extended Sus2 Harmonies:

Sus2 chords can be extended for richer harmonies:

• Sus2add6: Adding the sixth for more color
• Sus2add11: Including the eleventh
• 7sus2: Adding the seventh for jazz color
• Sus2add13: Extended jazz harmonies

Extended Sus2 Chords:

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Compositional Techniques:

Effective ways to use sus2 chords:

• Atmospheric passages: Creating mood and space
• Harmonic color: Adding sophistication to progressions
• Voice leading tool: Smooth connections between chords
• Pedal point harmony: Maintaining bass notes
• Textural element: Open voicings for arrangements

Performance Considerations:

Timing and Rhythm:

Sus2 chords work well with various rhythmic approaches:

• Sustained harmonies for atmospheric effect
• Arpeggiated patterns for gentle movement
• Rhythmic strumming for contemporary feel

Dynamic Control:

Sus2 chords respond well to dynamic variation:

• Soft dynamics enhance the floating quality
• Crescendos build emotional intensity
• Sudden dynamic changes create dramatic effects

Ear Training and Recognition:

Developing sus2 chord recognition:

• Quality comparison: Contrast with major and minor triads
• Harmonic context: Identify in popular songs
• Voice leading practice: Follow the second degree movement
• Instrumental practice: Play and sing sus2 arpeggios

Historical Development:

The evolution of sus2 usage:

• Classical origins: Suspension and resolution principles
• Folk tradition: Natural open harmonies
• Jazz influence: Extended harmony concepts
• Rock adoption: Power chord variations
• Contemporary integration: Standard harmonic vocabulary

Style-Specific Applications:

Folk and Acoustic:

Sus2 chords create natural, earthy sounds perfect for folk music.

Rock and Alternative:

Modern rock uses sus2 chords for atmospheric and emotional effects.

Ambient and New Age:

Sus2 harmonies provide floating, meditative qualities.

Common Mistakes:

• Overuse: Too many sus2 chords can become monotonous
• Poor voice leading: Not taking advantage of smooth connections
• Wrong context: Using in inappropriate musical styles
• Voicing problems: Poor spacing or register choices

Practice Exercises:

For Guitarists:

Practice sus2 chord shapes and transitions in various keys.

For Pianists:

Work on sus2 voicings and arpeggiated patterns.

For Composers:

Experiment with sus2 chords in different musical contexts and progressions.

Fun Facts:

• Sus2 chords are sometimes called "add9(no3)" chords.
• The Beatles popularized sus2 chords in 1960s pop music.
• Celtic music naturally features many sus2-type harmonies.
• Sus2 chords work well with open guitar tunings.
• Many film composers use sus2 chords for pastoral and peaceful scenes.

Conclusions:

The sus2 chord represents one of contemporary music's most versatile and atmospheric harmonies. Its open, ambiguous quality makes it perfect for creating space, emotion, and sophisticated harmonic color in compositions across multiple genres.

Understanding sus2 chords opens up possibilities for more nuanced harmonic expression, smoother voice leading, and contemporary musical textures. Whether used as a replacement for traditional triads or as a color chord in extended progressions, the sus2 chord adds sophistication and emotional depth to musical compositions.

Mastering this harmony enhances both compositional vocabulary and performance technique, providing tools for creating the floating, open sounds that characterize much of modern popular and art music. The sus2 chord bridges traditional harmonic practice with contemporary musical expression.