Suspended Chords: The Basics + How To Write with Sus2 and Sus4 (Part 1 of 2)

This is part one of a two part class on suspended chords. We go through the fundamentals of sus2 and sus4 chords, how they are built, how they fit into our keys, and some insight into how we can write music with them. In the next video, we’re going to “break the rules” and suffer the conseqeunces. We’ll also look at other ways of utilizing sus chords, and also explore things that are related to sus chords, like add9 chords.

Thanks to my friend Jeff Schwertfeger AKA BeardStank again for helping me with this one. It always sounds way nicer to have real drums on these tracks when possible. It takes a lot more time to record and produce and mix real drums but it’s good practice and it’s fun work.

One nugget of info that I forgot to include in these videos- if you play a sus2 chord in 2nd inversion, it now has the structure of a sus4 chord. Likewise, if you play a sus4 chord in 1st in version, it has the structure of a sus2.

These videos are sponsored by my patreon subscribers. They are wonderful folks who we can all thank for making these videos possible. Special thanks to the following Patrons:

Linas Orentas
Joe Buote
Nick White
Patrick Ryan
Christopher Swanson
John Arnold
Jon Reddish
Brandon Combs
Sebastian
Morgan M.
Lord of the Chords
Billyshes
Phillip Sharp
Don Watters
Bradley Bower
Marek Pawlowski
BuzzWasHere

Table of Contents:
00:00 Intro
00:16 Suspended Triads
02:41 Embellishing Your Tonic
03:36 Visualizing Suspended Chords
06:56 Writing With Suspended Chords
08:43 More Writing With Suspended Chords
11:15 Wrapping Up

[SignalsMusicStudio]

Even if you know the basics, make sure you stick around till the end of this video to see some sus chord flexibility! Also you'll see a freak video editing glitch that I'm leaviing in. I really don't want to re-render and re-upload this video as ugly as it is, It's just a huge pain to do that and means I wouldn't be able to repost this video till tomorrow, so enjoy the huge ugly error :)

[Guitarplayer]

This channel is “indisputably “ the best music/ guitar theory channel on YouTube. Rick Beato is awesome, but to me, Jakes lessons are easier to grasp. Thanks for another superb lesson!

[ZerSpinn]

2:37
Trying to add vibrato to a keyboard. That's how you know your brain thinks in guitar terms.

[sscaramal]

One thing I love about your lessons is how you change keys. I can't stand any more lessons in C major and A minor.

[martynspooner]

I have gone from knowing zero theory and actually thought it was something beyond me until I discovered Jakes channel.
I now have a small handle on some of it and owe this man bigtime
Thanks so much I am truly grateful.

[motafov]

this guy is hands down outstanding, he encompasses musical knowledge and talent and his delivery is next to none, this channel is on a league of its own

[coltonaallen]

Everyone needs a friend like Beardstank!

[BluegillGreg]

The wigs, glasses, and froggytoad are great! You really nailed their application for the minor variation, too!

[johnjanoski]

This is a clear, concise, bite sized explanation of sus2 and sus4 chords. Adding examples of their uses, icing on the cake. Good lesson!

[freeman]

Really excellent. What others complicate this man makes absolutely straight forward and concise. This to me is a real skill. And admirable.

[StonyBlazestation]

Asus2 is the opening chord for the Tristram theme from Diablo. Instant nostalgia flashbacks when you strummed that.

[drakonyanazkar]

I love how you treat modes with casualty on your videos. It really shows how it's just something else about music, and not "something the average dude doesn't do". I just composed my very first piece using the knowledge from your videos and it ended up being Lydian. I didn't choose it, but once I realized what I was going for, everything became much easier.

[houseofcross]

you have done what my University teachers did in a semester worth of work within a 12-minute video thankyou

[BayleyDon]

Perfect timing: I was just this morning fiddling with inserting sus chords into a progression I've been working on, for some of that serene shimmer. Let me add my voice to the chorus of praise, Jake. I've been playing for 30 years, learnt a fair bit of theory in that time, but nothing and nobody makes it all hang together with with such simple clarity as you do. Great stuff.

[liamkeily]

That Lydian is just Dream Theatre incarnate. Jake you're amazing

[shreddykrueger]

How you break things down so simply really helps. Things that seemed hard or confusing, make total sense with your videos. You're killing it. Great layout for videos, quick and to the point. You rock dude

[riskromer]

dude, not only Jake knows a fucking lot of music theory but has the amazing talent to explain it and make it sound as clear as water! Hands down the best online teacher (y)

[brianmckernan]

Lizzio is king, I'm 54 yrs old, finally learning the right way while having the most fun ever with revisting my disorganized originals. Making steady progress

[dissinyosandwich]

Mr Lizzio, I was in dire need of this. Subbing to you was one of the only good decisions I've made in my life! :D

[timclay]

Your lessons are THE BEST. The fact that you back up the theory stuff with quality, FUN demonstrations featuring some excellent guitar playing is doubly impressive.