Sus chords are where riffs live as these embellishments transform basic open chords into many recognisable songs, often just by lifting or adding one finger.

The "sus" is short for suspended, meaning we're replacing the 3rd in a chord with either the 2nd or 4th note of the major scale.

Main Learning Points:

• Dsus2: lift the middle finger from D major

• Dsus4: add pinky to the 3rd fret of string one

• Asus2: lift the ring finger from A major

• Asus4: kick out the pinky finger to the 3rd fret of string two

• Esus4: simply add pinky to the 2nd fret of string three

Song Examples:

• Crazy Little Thing Called Love, Summer of 69, Other Side of the World

• Ticket to Ride, Brass in Pocket, Bittersweet Symphony

• With or Without You - ending 'lead' line

These embellishments are like playing lead guitar while still holding chord shapes. Once you can do this, you'll start hearing Sus chords everywhere in the music you love.