Professional Piano Guitar Voice Music Instructor, Nairobi (2025)

30/09/2025

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30/09/2025

Sus2 and Sus4 Chord Movements for All Keys on the Piano

Introduction

Sus chords (suspended chords) are a big part of gospel worship piano. They create that open, unresolved sound that feels like “waiting on God” before resolving into a stable chord. The name “suspended” comes from the fact that the 3rd of the chord is replaced (or suspended) by either the 2nd (sus2) or the 4th (sus4).
• Sus2 formula: 1 – 2 – 5
• Sus4 formula: 1 – 4 – 5

Example in C:
• Csus2 = C – D – G
• Csus4 = C – F – G

Step 1: Sus2 and Sus4 Shapes in All Keys

Here are the basic sus2 and sus4 chords:
• C major scale → Csus2 = C–D–G, Csus4 = C–F–G
• Db major scale → Dbsus2 = Db–Eb–Ab, Dbsus4 = Db–Gb–Ab
• D major scale → Dsus2 = D–E–A, Dsus4 = D–G–A
• Eb major scale → Ebsus2 = Eb–F–Bb, Ebsus4 = Eb–Ab–Bb
• E major scale → Esus2 = E–F #–B, Esus4 = E–A–B
• F major scale → Fsus2 = F–G–C, Fsus4 = F–Bb–C
• Gb major scale → Gbsus2 = Gb–Ab–Db, Gbsus4 = Gb–B–Db
• G major scale → Gsus2 = G–A–D, Gsus4 = G–C–D
• Ab major scale → Absus2 = Ab–Bb–Eb, Absus4 = Ab–Db–Eb
• A major scale → Asus2 = A–B–E, Asus4 = A–D–E
• Bb major scale → Bbsus2 = Bb–C–F, Bbsus4 = Bb–Eb–F
• B major scale → Bsus2 = B–C #–F #, Bsus4 = B–E–F #

Step 2: Hand Movement Patterns

Here’s how you move your hands with sus chords in gospel worship.

1. Sus4 → Major (common gospel movement)

This is the classic church suspension. You start on sus4, then resolve to the major chord.
Example in C: Csus4 (C–F–G) → C major (C–E–G).
This creates tension and release.

2. Major → Sus2 → Major (open worship sound)

Play the major chord, then move the middle note down to the 2, then back.
Example in F: F (F–A–C) → Fsus2 (F–G–C) → back to F.
This makes your playing flow instead of sounding stiff.

3. Sus2 → Sus4 → Major (worship build-up)

You can move between sus2 and sus4 before landing on the major chord.
Example in G: Gsus2 (G–A–D) → Gsus4 (G–C–D) → G major (G–B–D).

4. Sus chords as passing chords

When moving between two major chords, i