Harmony/Suspensions

Types of Suspension

Suspensions are a musical device designed to create musical tension and then release it. They come in various forms, but all have the commonality of changing one of the notes in a triad and then returning to that note.

Suspensions are defined based on where the suspension is above the bass note in the chord.

4-3 suspensions

A 4-3 suspension with the suspended note in the melody (top stave)

7-8 suspensions

A 7-8 suspension with the suspended note in the melody.

This type of suspension often occurs when the leading note has been in the previous chord, such as in a perfect cadence. The leading note is held on before resolution.

This type of suspension was most commonly used in early small ensemble music.