7sus4 Guitar Chords
Formula: 1, 4, 5, b7
- 7sus4 guitar chords are chords with a root, a perfect fourth (no third), perfect fifth and a minor seventh.
- The chord can also be written as 7+4 or 7sus
- The chord formula for a 7sus4 chord is 1 - 4 - 5 - ♭7
- Simply put, a 7sus4 chord is a sus4 chord with an added flattened 7th. Remember that a suspended chord is neither a major or minor chord due to the absence of the third scale degree (3rd). This gives suspended chords a very open sound, creating colour and interest to a piece of music.
- The featured song for this session is Close To You by The Carpenters.
- 7sus4 chords consist of the 1st, 4th, 5th and ♭7th notes of a Major Scale
- B chords are built around the B major scale.
- B major scale reads: B - C# - D# - E - F# - G# - A# - B
- Formula for a 7sus4 chord = 1 - 4 - 5 - ♭7
- Substitute notes into the formula (1=B, 4=E, 5=F#, ♭7=A)
- The B7sus4 chord reads: B - E - F# - A
7sus4 Chord Table
| 7sus4 | A | A#/B♭ | B | C | C#/D♭ | D | D#/E♭ | E | F | F#/G♭ | G | G#/A♭ |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Root | A | A#/B♭ | B | C | C#/D♭ | D | D#/E♭ | E | F | F#/G♭ | G | G#/A♭ |
| Perfect 4th | D | D#/E♭ | E | F | F#/G♭ | G | G#A♭ | A | B♭ | B/C♭ | C | C#/D♭ |
| Perfect 5th | E | E#/F | F# | G | G#/A♭ | A | A#/B♭ | B | C | C#/D♭ | D | D#/E♭ |
| Minor 7th | G | G#/A♭ | A | B♭ | B/C♭ | C | C#/D♭ | D | E♭ | E/F♭ | F | F#/G♭ |
7sus4 Chords - Right Handers
Chord Chart Legend
7sus4 Chords - Left Handers
Chord Chart Legend
Close To You
Music by Burt Bacharach & Words by Hal David
↓ Close To You
Please Note:
C/9 is not a C9 chord. It is a C major chord with an added 9th - also written as Cadd9 (The 9th is a D note which is played with the 4th finger on the 3rd fret 2nd string.) Formula: 1-3-5-9
C9 is a C7 chord with an added 9th. Formula: 1-3-5-b7-9
If you are unsure of the song, have a listen. If you want to play along with the video, there is a more comprehensive version of 'Close To You' available which consists of a key change and some testing chords complete with charts for right and left handed guitarists... good luck.
The version above is a simplified version with no key change. If you are playing along with the video, it will sound fine till you get to the key change (from C maj to D♭ maj) in the 'Instrumental' section... any further and it will sound wrong. You can however pause the video and place a capo on the first fret and continue playing the same chords as before. The capo takes care of the key change and it will better suit part-time players and beginners.
Another song you could try is Venus by Shocking Blue. It uses a B7sus4 very affectively... and a lot of fun to play.
In Summary
The 7sus4 chord, also known as the dominant 7 suspended 4 chord, is a fascinating and versatile chord that combines elements of both suspended and dominant chords. Here are some interesting facts about 7sus4 chords:Chord Structure: A 7sus4 chord is typically composed of the root, perfect fourth, perfect fifth, and minor seventh intervals. For example, in the key of C, a C7sus4 chord would consist of the notes C, F, G, and Bb.
Suspended Sound: The "sus" in 7sus4 stands for "suspended." The fourth interval (in this case, F) creates a suspended, unresolved sound. It's often described as having a slightly "open" or "airy" quality compared to other chords.
Dominant Quality: Despite its suspended sound, the 7sus4 chord retains a dominant quality due to the presence of the minor seventh interval. This gives the chord tension and a sense of wanting to resolve to a more stable chord, typically a major or dominant chord.
Resolution: The suspended fourth (e.g., F in a C7sus4 chord) usually resolves down to the major third (E) of a major or dominant chord. This creates a sense of resolution and tension release when transitioning to a more stable chord.
Substituting for Dominant Chords: 7sus4 chords can often be used as substitutions for regular dominant seventh chords (e.g., C7) in progressions. They provide an interesting alternative that can add color and variety to a chord progression.
Modal Flavor: Modal music refers to a musical system or approach that is based on musical modes rather than traditional major and minor scales. 7sus4 chords are commonly used in modal music, such as in the Mixolydian mode. The presence of the suspended fourth can evoke a modal sound that works well in certain musical contexts.
Open Voicings: 7sus4 chords are often played in "open" voicings, where the notes are spread out across different octaves. These voicings contribute to the chord's distinct sound and make it suitable for guitar and keyboard players.
Jazz and Contemporary Music: 7sus4 chords are frequently used in jazz, fusion, and contemporary music genres to add harmonic interest and complexity. They can be found in both standard progressions and more adventurous harmonic explorations.
Use in Songwriting: Songwriters use 7sus4 chords to create moments of tension and anticipation within a song. These chords can be particularly effective in building drama or setting up a resolution in a musical narrative.
Chord Extensions: Like other chords, 7sus4 chords can be extended further by adding additional tones, such as the ninth or thirteenth. These extensions can further enhance the chord's color and complexity.
I hope you have enjoyed this section on 7sus4 guitar chords. Remember to check the frets below each chord diagram to make sure you are playing the chord in the right position, and don't forget to practice... and then some!
