Chord Of The Week 16/5/15 - the Holdsworth sus4 chord

bigjon

Formula for an sus4 chord is 1 4 5, which in the key of C is C, F, and G, and which often resolves to a major chord 1 3 5. On a guitar this is x 3 3 0 x x, resolving to x 3 2 0 x x.

Allan superimposed the sus4 chord and it's resolution so the can have the 4th degree ringing out even as it resolves down to the 3rd, creating and effect somewhat like holding the sustain pedal down on a piano. The easy way to do this in C is to let the open E 1st string ring out, so you might play Csus4 x35x6x followed by C x35x(6)0 with the bracketed F note continuing to sound while the second chord is played.

The hard way (the Holdsworth way) is to once again play the whole thing in closed position, leading to a three-note chord that at first sight seems wilfully perverse:

Csus4: 8 x 5 x 6 x

But which comes into its own when followed by 

C(add4): 8 x 5 9 (6) x

With the 2nd and 3rd strings ringing into each other.

This chord, in B so one fret down, is Allan's first chord in the tune House Of Mirrors, which is on video here - 

bigjon

Chord Of The Week Index updated with 93 discussions at

http://www.thefretboard.co.uk/discussion/598/chord-of-the-week-index

viz

Nice. If playing in C in particular, I find it easier to do

8 10 x 10 x x

8 10 x 10 x 0

thomasross20

Great threads these!