Suspended Chords Explained (Sus2 & Sus4)

Stop playing boring chords! You're about to unlock one of music theory's most expressive tools: sus chords. These suspended chords are the secret to creating tension, movement, and that unresolved, dramatic sound you hear in countless hit songs—including a classic example from Coldplay!

In this piano lesson, we'll break down everything you need to know about sus two and sus four chords. You’ll learn the fundamental structure of these harmonies (1-2-5 and 1-4-5) and discover how they differ from standard major and minor triads. Evan walks you through the practical application on the piano, showing examples like C-sus2 and C-sus4, and explaining the concept of suspension—swapping the third for a second or a fourth.

We cover:
- What does "Sus" stand for?
- How to build a sus2 chord (1-2-5).
- How to build a sus4 chord (1-4-5).
- Why inversions are important for voicing sus chords.
- How suspended chords are used to create tension and resolution in popular music.

If you’re ready to elevate your playing and better understand musical composition, this video is for you.

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