Dominant Seventh Suspended 4th Chord

The Dominant Seventh Suspended 4th Chord (or Dominant 7sus4) is a four-note chord that replaces the major third of the Dominant Seventh Chord with a perfect fourth. The notes are: root, perfect fourth, perfect fifth, and minor seventh. This chord has a 'suspended', 'open', and somewhat 'ambiguous' sound, as it lacks the third that would define its major or minor quality. Its function is often to create tension that delays resolution, or to offer harmonic ambiguity before 'falling' into the major third (resolving the suspended fourth) and then typically to the tonic chord. It is extremely common in funk, fusion, R&B, and jazz for its versatility and modern sound, which can add an atmosphere of anticipation and fluidity.

Common Progressions

• V7sus4 - V7 - I (a very common progression where the V7sus4 resolves to the 'normal' V7 before proceeding to the I degree)
• ii - V7sus4 - I (the V7sus4 directly replaces the V7 for a more open and less immediately resolving sound)
• I - IV - V7sus4 (used to add interest and a sense of anticipation to a basic progression, before the final resolution)