Sus4 chords
A chord with no third, where the fourth takes its place. The fourth creates a little tension that wants to fall back to the major chord.
What it is
In a sus4 chord, the third is replaced by the fourth, 5 half steps above the root. Its formula is 1, 4, 5.
In D, that gives you D, G, A. Like the sus2, it’s neither major nor minor.
The sound: tension that resolves
The fourth sits a half step from the major third, and your ear expects it to fall back down. D, Dsus4, D: the classic move, played by adding and then removing a single finger.
Shapes to know
In open position: Csus4, Dsus4, Esus4, Gsus4 and Asus4. For each one, a single note of the major chord moves up a fret: on the high E for Dsus4, on the G string for Esus4, on the B string for Asus4. The quickest way is to keep the major chord and add a finger (your pinky for Dsus4); the diagrams show the other common fingering, more comfortable when the chord lasts.
All 12 sus4 chords
Click a diagram to hear it, or the name to open its full page (every position, tab).