Isus4–I

The Isus4–I progression suspends the fourth over the tonic chord before resolving down to the major third. This simple but effective device adds a breath of tension directly on the home chord, creating a gentle push-pull effect. It is widely used in intros, outros, and rhythmic strumming patterns in rock, pop, and worship music where the sus4 adds movement without changing the harmonic root.

Pattern: Isus4 – I Example in C Major: Csus4 – C

Genre: rock, pop, folk, worship Difficulty: beginner

Choose a Key

C Major Csus4 – C G Major Gsus4 – G D Major Dsus4 – D A Major Asus4 – A E Major Esus4 – E B Major Bsus4 – B F♯ Major F♯sus4 – F♯ F Major Fsus4 – F B♭ Major Bbsus4 – B♭ E♭ Major Ebsus4 – E♭ A♭ Major Absus4 – A♭ D♭ Major Dbsus4 – D♭

Song Examples

Scarborough Fair — Simon & Garfunkel
Born on the Bayou — CCR
Hey Jude (coda) — The Beatles

Related Progressions

Vsus4–V–I Vsus2–V–I I–IV