Suspended

Suspended second chords

Triad with 2nd instead of 3rd: C-D-G. Formula: 1-2-5. Quartal-like, ambiguous major/minor.

In every key

The same shape, moved. The symbols below are spelled the way the app spells them, which is the spelling the chord's own scale asks for rather than whichever accidental is easier to type.

  • Csus2
  • Dbsus2
  • Dsus2
  • Ebsus2
  • Esus2
  • Fsus2
  • F#sus2
  • Gsus2
  • Absus2
  • Asus2
  • Bbsus2
  • Bsus2

Voicings

Written in C, because that is the key the encyclopedia authors them in; every one transposes unchanged.

Root Position

C · D · G

beginner

Octaves shown are the app's default ascending voicing.

Sus2 Add 6

C · D · G · A

intermediate

Octaves shown are the app's default ascending voicing.

Quartal Voicing

G · C · D · A

advanced

Aaron Parks / Keith Jarrett floating sound

Quartal Add6 (2-5-1-6)

D · G · C · A

intermediate

Quartal sus2 with the 6 on top — open, airy pop/jazz color

Quartal Spread (1-2-5-9-5)

C · D · G · D · G

advanced

Wide two-hand sus2 spread — root, 2, and stacked 5ths

Where it turns up

Modal and contemporary jazz. Used by Keith Jarrett, Aaron Parks for floating textures. No tonal commitment.

Commonly swapped with

  • Csus4
  • Cadd9