Gb7sus4 Piano Chord

Piano Diagram of Gb7sus4 in Root Position

The Gb7sus4 chord is made up of four notes, namely Gb, Cb, Db, and Fb. This chord is known as a suspended second chord since the third note in the chord is substituted with a perfect fourth which creates a sense of suspension. To play a Gb7sus4 on a piano, you simply need to replace the third note (Bb) of a Gb7 with the fourth note (Cb) from its root. Keep reading to get a better understanding of the music theory principles behind this chord.

 

---

 

Fingers Position

 

Gb7sus4 Chord Inversions

 

The Gb7sus4 chord has a total of 3 inversions:

 Piano Keyboard Diagrams

---

Music Theory and Harmony of Gb7sus4

 

What are Suspended  Chords?

Suspended chords are a type of chord in which the third note is replaced by either a major second or a perfect fourth. These resulting chords are called suspended second (sus2) or suspended fourth (sus4) chords, respectively. These chords create a unique and sometimes unresolved sound that can add tension and interest to a musical composition.

Suspended chords have a distinct sound that sets them apart from major and minor chords. They are called suspended chords because they temporarily suspend the listener’s expectation of hearing a major or minor stable chord. Instead, they feature a perfect fourth or major second interval in place of the third. Due to their “neutral nature,” suspended chords can sometimes be used as substitutes for both major and minor chords.

The 7sus4 chord is a more intricate and richer version of sus4 chords, thanks to the inclusion of an extra minor 7th note. This additional note makes 7sus4 chords a more suitable choice for dominant and minor 7th chords.

 

---

Building the Gb7sus4 Chord: Different Approaches

Starting from the Gb major Scale

To build a 7sus4 chord, you can use the major scale as a guide and combine a root note, a perfect 4th, a perfect 5th, and a minor 7th interval.

 

 

 

To create a Gb7sus4 chord, apply the formula R, 4, 5, m7 in the following manner:

1. Begin with the Root note, Gb.
2. Select the 4th interval, Cb (B).
3. Add the 5th note, Db.
4. Finally, add the minor 7th interval, which is Fb (which is equivalent to E but we’ll call it Fb to preserve the basic intervals structure of the chord).

By following this simple formula, you can create a 7sus4 chord from any major scale.

 

---

by Combining Intervals

One method to create a dominant suspended 4th chord is by combining three specific intervals – a perfect 4th, a major 2nd, and a minor 3rd.

4 + 2 + m3 = 7sus4 Chords

To illustrate, let’s use the Gb7sus4 chord as an example. By examining the intervals between the notes, we can see that Gb-Cb forms a perfect 4th interval, Cb-Db creates a major second interval, and the interval between Db and Fb is a minor 3rd.

 

---

How to Use Gb7sus4 in a Chord Progression

 

Suspended chords have a unique quality that sets them apart from major and minor chords. They are considered neither major nor minor, which makes them a great tool for creating tension and suspense in a musical composition before resolving to a stable major or minor chord.

To incorporate a Gb7sus4 into a chord progression, you can refer to the following tables, which outline the most common positions where the chord can be found or utilized. However, it’s crucial to understand that, since this chord contains a minor 7th, it isn’t compatible with Maj7 chords, unlike sus2 or sus4 chords. Nevertheless, it can be used on dominant chords and on all positions where a Gbm7 is present.

Gb7sus4 as Substitute of Gb7

Gb7sus4 can be used as a substitute for Gb7 in major and minor keys. In the B major key, Gb7 can be replaced with Gb7sus4 in the V position. Similarly, in Ab minor, Gb7 can be substituted with Gb7sus4 in the VII position which is the leading tone chord.

 

on Major Scales

• Dominant chord in B Major as F#7sus4

 

on Natural minor Scales

• Leading tone chord in Ab minor

 

---

 

---

Gb7sus4 in Cb Major

Check F#7sus4 in B Major

 

---

Gb7sus4 in Ab Minor

In the key of Ab minor, the seventh degree features a Gb7 chord. Playing a Gb7sus4 chord can create a sense of anticipation and tension, preparing the listener for the resolution to the tonic chord. You can experiment with playing just the Gb7sus4 chord or combining it with the Gb7 chord.

 

Gb7sus4 as VII degree – Chord Progressions

i VI VII

 

i v VI VII

 

i III VII VI

 

Circle Progression

 

---

Gb7sus4 in Fb Major

Check F#7sus4 in E Major

 

---

Gb7sus4 in Ebb Major

Check F#7sus4 in D Major

 

---

Gb7sus4 in Bbb Major

Check F#7sus4 in A Major

 

---

Gb7sus4 in Gb Minor

Check F#7sus4 in F# minor

 

---

Gb7sus4 in Db Minor

Check F#7sus4 in C# minor

 

---

Gb7sus4 in Cb Minor

Check F#7sus4 in B minor

 

---

Alternative Names for Gb7sus4 Chord

• Gb7sus4
• Gb7sus(4)
• Gb7 add4(no3)
• Gb7 add4(omit3)
• Gb Dominant Suspended 4th

 

---