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Tim
Tim
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Strictly speaking, sus is only replacing the 3rd with a 4th. Often, the term sus is also used for replacing it with a 2nd, although that ought to be called a retardation. I imagine originally it was only when the sus was to return to the basic chord, but as times move on, it now applies to any chord where 3 has been thrown out in favour of 4. But, yes, most times it still applies.

In my world, a sus chord which contains the 3rd isn't! An 11th chord, for example, theoretically comprises 1,3,5,7,9 and 11. Often, the 9 is omitted, keeping the 7th (of some variety, usually m7) in, and voicing the 4th not as a 4th, but as an11th. And certainly not relacingreplacing the chord's 3rd!

Sometimes a point is reached where it's virtually impractical to sensibly name a particularly complex chord. That point is reached in your last example. A7sus4♭9 will not contain the 3rd - C♯. Otherwise it's not a sus. It may end up being A11(♭9)(no 3) though. A11♭9 will include C♯ (and the D note). That way, the name includes all the relevant details - and notes.

Strictly speaking, sus is only replacing the 3rd with a 4th. Often, the term sus is also used for replacing it with a 2nd, although that ought to be called a retardation. I imagine originally it was only when the sus was to return to the basic chord, but as times move on, it now applies to any chord where 3 has been thrown out in favour of 4. But, yes, most times it still applies.

In my world, a sus chord which contains the 3rd isn't! An 11th chord, for example, theoretically comprises 1,3,5,7,9 and 11. Often, the 9 is omitted, keeping the 7th (of some variety, usually m7) in, and voicing the 4th not as a 4th, but as an11th. And certainly not relacing the chord's 3rd!

Sometimes a point is reached where it's virtually impractical to sensibly name a particularly complex chord. That point is reached in your last example. A7sus4♭9 will not contain the 3rd - C♯. Otherwise it's not a sus. It may end up being A11(♭9)(no 3) though. A11♭9 will include C♯ (and the D note). That way, the name includes all the relevant details - and notes.

Strictly speaking, sus is only replacing the 3rd with a 4th. Often, the term sus is also used for replacing it with a 2nd, although that ought to be called a retardation. I imagine originally it was only when the sus was to return to the basic chord, but as times move on, it now applies to any chord where 3 has been thrown out in favour of 4. But, yes, most times it still applies.

In my world, a sus chord which contains the 3rd isn't! An 11th chord, for example, theoretically comprises 1,3,5,7,9 and 11. Often, the 9 is omitted, keeping the 7th (of some variety, usually m7) in, and voicing the 4th not as a 4th, but as an11th. And certainly not replacing the chord's 3rd!

Sometimes a point is reached where it's virtually impractical to sensibly name a particularly complex chord. That point is reached in your last example. A7sus4♭9 will not contain the 3rd - C♯. Otherwise it's not a sus. It may end up being A11(♭9)(no 3) though. A11♭9 will include C♯ (and the D note). That way, the name includes all the relevant details - and notes.

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Tim
Tim
  • 197.4k
  • 18
  • 197
  • 487

Strictly speaking, sus is only replacing the 3rd with a 4th. Often, the term sus is also used for replacing it with a 2nd, although that ought to be called a retardation. I imagine originally it was only when the sus was to return to the basic chord, but as times move on, it now applies to any chord where 3 has been thrown out in favour of 4. But, yes, most times it still applies.

In my world, a sus chord which contains the 3rd isn't! An 11th chord, for example, theoretically comprises 1,3,5,7,9 and 11. Often, the 9 is omitted, keeping the 7th (of some variety, usually m7) in, and voicing the 4th not as a 4th, but as an11th. And certainly not relacing the chord's 3rd!

Sometimes a point is reached where it's virtually impractical to sensibly name a particularly complex chord. That point is reached in your last example. A7sus4♭9 will not contain the 3rd - C♯. Otherwise it's not a sus. It may end up being A11(♭9)(no 3) though. A11♭9 will include C♯ (and the D note). That way, the name includes all the relevant details - and notes.