One of my favorite structures to play with is the sus4. The ambiguous quality, lacking a 3rd, is something I find appealing. Here are a few new ways to think about using the sus4 triad. Click to enlarge the image.
In the first example, we see the notes of a Csus4 in the context that we're accustomed to. It's just a Csus4. Simple!
The second example is a great way to get a lydian sound without playing tons of notes. Economy of means is a good thing to keep in mind when improvising. Here, the Csus4 triad is played over a Db to create the sound of a maj7 (#11) chord. Lydian.
The others are just two more possibilities. Technically, there are 12 different ways to use this as a chord or arpeggio. Some of them sound really dissonant, others will work over almost any chord you can imagine.
Play around with this idea, keep your ears open, and hear what you like!
Be well,
Brant
Brant Grieshaber - guitarist
Guitar Lessons
Do you do any of this crazy shit on any of my tunes?
ReplyDeleteI do! Not as often as I might playing on a jazz or fusion tune, but it's a general part of how I play. It's all over Paris. I'm pretty sure there's a lick or two using the sus4 triad, in fact.
ReplyDeleteBut using the sus4 as a maj7(#11) or maj7(13)?
ReplyDeleteThere's something sticking in my ear that smacks of maj7(13) (relative to the key, not necessarily the chord). I want to say it's towards the end of the tune.
ReplyDelete