Jazz Basics

What sus4 Really Means

sus4 means the third is replaced by the fourth. It does not mean the chord has four notes.

sus4 does not mean there are four notes.

It means the 3rd is replaced by the 4th.

In jazz, the fuller sound is usually:

1 4 5 b7

On C7sus4:

C7sus4

So here, 1 4 5 b7 means:

  • 1
  • 4
  • 5
  • b 7

Compared with Cmaj7, the 3 disappears and the 4 takes its place. Because it is a dominant-type sound, the 7 is lowered.

Cmaj7 and C7sus4

Because the chord avoids the 3rd, it feels more open and less settled than a plain major or dominant chord.

Practice it in the app

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