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F7sus4 Piano Chord

    Piano Diagram of F7sus4 in Root Position

    F7sus4 Chord - Root Position - Piano Diagram

    The F7sus4 chord is made up of four notes, namely F, Bb, C, and Eb. 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 the F7sus4 chord on a piano, you simply need to replace the third note (A) of an F7 chord with the fourth note (Bb) from its root. Keep reading to get a better understanding of the music theory principles behind this chord.

     


    Structure of F7sus4

    Notes

    F, Bb, C, Eb

    Intervals

    R, 4, 5, m7

     

    Fingers Position

     

    Left Hand

    5, 3, 2, 1

    Right Hand

    1, 2, 3, 5

     

    F7sus4 Chord Inversions

     

    The F7sus4 chord has a total of 3 inversions:

    Root Position: F Bb C Eb
    1st Inversion: Bb C Eb F
    2nd Inversion: C Eb F Bb
    3rd Inversion: Eb F Bb C

     Piano Keyboard Diagrams


    Music Theory and Harmony of F7sus4

     

    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 F7sus4 Chord: Different Approaches

    Starting from the F 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.

     

    F Major Diatonic Scale up to octave

    F Major Scale

     

    F Major Diatonic Scale up to octave Keyless Notation

    F Major Scale – Keyless Notation

     

    To create an F7sus4 chord, apply the formula R, 4, 5, m7 in the following manner:

    1. Begin with the Root note, F.
    2. Select the 4th interval, Bb.
    3. Add the 5th note, C.
    4. Finally, add the minor 7th interval, which is Eb.

    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 F7sus4 chord as an example. By examining the intervals between the notes, we can see that F-Bb forms a perfect 4th interval, Bb-C creates a major second interval, and the interval between C and Eb is a minor 3rd.

     


    How to Use F7sus4 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 an F7sus4 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 an Fm7 is present.

    F7sus4 as Substitute of F7

    F7sus4 can be used as a substitute for F7 in major and minor keys. In the Bb major key, F7 can be replaced with F7sus4 in the V position. Similarly, in G minor, F7 can be substituted with F7sus4 in the VII position which is the leading tone chord.

     

    on Major Scales

    Major Scales I ii iii IV V vi vii
    Bb Bb Maj7 C min7 D min7 Eb Maj7 F7 ⇒ F7sus4 G min7 Am7b5
    • Dominant chord in Bb Major

     

    on Natural minor Scales

    Minor Scales i ii III iv v VI VII
    G G min7 Am7b5 Bb Maj7 C min7 D min7 Eb Maj7 F7 ⇒ F7sus4
    • Leading tone chord in G minor

     


    F7sus4 as Substitute of F min7

    F7sus4 chord can be used as a substitute for F minor 7th in various major and minor keys:

     

    on Major Scales

    Major Scales I ii iii IV V vi vii
    Eb Eb Maj7 Fm7 ⇒ F7sus4 G min7 Ab Maj7 Bb7 C min7 Dm7b5
    Db Db Maj7 Eb min7 Fm7 ⇒ F7sus4 Gb Maj7 Ab7 Bb min7 Cm7b5
    Ab Ab Maj7 Bb min7 C min7 Db Maj7 Eb7 Fm7 ⇒ F7sus4 Gm7b5
    • Supertonic chord in Eb Major
    • Mediant chord in Db Major
    • Submediant chord in Ab Major

     

    on Natural minor Scales

    Minor Scales i ii III iv v VI VII
    F Fm7 ⇒ F7sus4 Gm7b5 Ab Maj7 Bb min7 C min7 Db Maj7 Eb7
    C C min7 Dm7b5 Eb Maj7 Fm7 ⇒ F7sus4 G min7 Ab Maj7 Bb7
    Bb Bb min7 Cm7b5 Db Maj7 Eb min7 Fm7 ⇒ F7sus4 Gb Maj7 Ab7
    • Tonic chord in F minor
    • Subdominant chord in C minor
    • Dominant chord in Bb minor

     


    F7sus4 Chord Function in Major and Minors

    Understanding Scale Degrees

    When creating chords from a scale, each note in the scale is assigned a degree, which reflects its position in the scale. In the diatonic major scale, there are seven degrees, and each degree has a unique role in the overall harmony of the scale.

    1. The first degree of the scale is called the Tonic, and it serves as the foundation for the scale. It provides a stable tonal center and is often referred to as the “home base” of the music.
    2. The second degree of the scale is called the Supertonic. It’s typically used as a passing note between the tonic and other scale degrees, and it adds a sense of movement to the melody or harmony.
    3. The third degree of the scale is called the Mediant. It’s located halfway between the tonic and dominant notes and helps to establish whether the scale is major or minor.
    4. The fourth degree of the scale is called the Subdominant. It’s often used as a complementary harmony to the dominant and adds a sense of tension and resolution to the music.
    5. The fifth degree of the scale is called the Dominant. It generates tension and a sense of expectation, and it’s typically resolved by returning to the tonic.
    6. The sixth degree of the scale is called the Submediant. It’s often utilized as a transition between the dominant and tonic, and it provides a sense of stability and restfulness to the music.
    7. The seventh degree of the scale is called the Leading tone. It’s located one half step below the tonic and produces a strong sense of tension and a desire to resolve to the tonic. It’s often used to create a sense of resolution and finality in the melody or harmony.

     


    F7sus4 in Bb Major

    In the key of Bb Major, the fifth degree is F7. However, by playing an F7sus4 chord instead, you can create a sense of tension and expectation, which can then be resolved by returning to the dominant chord or to another degree of the scale.

    I ii iii IV V vi vii
    Bb Maj7 C min7 D min7 Eb Maj7 F7 G min7 Am7b5

     

    F7sus4 as V degree – Chord Progressions
    ii V I
    ii V I
    C min7 F7sus4 | F7 Bb Maj7

    You can experiment with different ways of playing the F7sus4 chord in the key of Bb Major. For example, you could play just the F7sus4 chord, or split the measure in half and play both the F7sus4 and F7 chords. Another option is to invert the order of the chords, playing the F7 chord first and then resolving to the F7sus4 chord.

    I IV V
    I IV V
    Bb Maj7 Eb Maj7 F7sus4 | F7

     

     I V vi IV
    I V vi IV
    Bb Maj7 F7sus4 | F7 G min7 Eb Maj7

     

    I IV vi V
    I IV vi V
    Bb Maj7 Eb Maj7 G min7 F7sus4 | F7

     

     I IV ii V iii vi ii V
    I IV ii V iii vi ii V
    Bb Maj7 Eb Maj7 C min7 F7sus4 | F7 D min7 G min7 C min7 F7sus4 | F7

     


    F7sus4 in G Minor

    In the key of G minor, the seventh degree features an F7 chord. Adding an F7sus4 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 F7sus4 chord or combining it with the F7 chord.

    i ii III iv v VI VII
    G min7 Am7b5 Bb Maj7 C min7 D min7 Eb Maj7 F7

     

    F7sus4 as VII degree – Chord Progressions
    i VI VII
    i V VII
    G min7 D min7 F7sus4 | F7

     

    i v VI VII
    i v VI VII
    G min7 D min7 Eb Maj7 F7 | F7sus4

     

    i III VII VI
    i III VII VI
    G min7 Bb Maj7 F7sus4 | F7 Eb Maj7

     

    Circle Progression
    i iv VII III VI ii V7 i
    G min7 C min7 F7sus4 | F7 Bb Maj7 Eb Maj7 Am7b5 D7 G min7

     


    F7sus4 in Eb Major

    In the context of Eb Major key, the second chord in the key is typically an F minor chord. However, incorporating an F7sus4 chord instead of Fm can add some variation and tonal interest to a chord progression.

    I ii iii IV V vi vii
    Eb Maj7 F min7 G min7 Ab Maj7 Bb7 C min7 Dm7b5

     

    F7sus4 Chord Progressions as ii degree
    ii V I
    ii V I
    F7sus4 | Fm7 Bb7 Eb Maj7

     

    I IV ii V iii vi ii V
    I IV ii V iii vi ii V
    Eb Maj7 Ab Maj7 F7sus4 | Fm7 Bb7 G min7 C min7 Fmin7 | F7sus4 Bb7

     


    F7sus4 in Db Major

    When playing in the key of Db Major, the F7sus4 chord can be used as a chord substitution for the diatonic F minor chord that normally appears on the III degree of the scale.

    I ii iii IV V vi vii
    Db Maj7 Eb min7 F min7 Gb Maj7 Ab7 Bb min7 Cm7b5

     

    F7sus4 Chord Progressions as iii degree
    I iii IV V
    I iii IV V
    Db Maj7 F7sus4 | Fm7 Gb Maj7 Ab7

     

    I iii ii V
    I iii ii V
    Db Maj7 F7sus4 | Fm7 Eb min7 Ab7

     

    I iii vi IV
    I iii vi IV
    Db Maj7 F7sus4 | Fm7 Bb min7 Gb Maj7

     


    F7sus4 in Ab Major

    In the key of Ab Major, the F7sus4 chord can function as a submediant chord, which means it’s a chord built on the sixth degree of the scale. It can add variety and interest to a chord progression that already includes an Fm chord on the sixth degree.

    I ii iii IV V vi vii
    Ab Maj7 Bb min7 C min7 Db Maj7 Eb7 F min7 Gm7b5

     

    F7sus4 as vi degree – Chord Progressions
    I iii vi V
    I iii vi V
    Ab Maj7 C min7 F7sus4 | Fm7 Eb7

     

    I vi ii V
    I vi ii V
    Ab Maj7 F7sus4 | Fm7 Bb min7 Eb7

     

    I IV ii V iii vi ii V
    I IV ii V iii vi ii V
    Ab Maj7 Db Maj7 Bb min7 Eb7 C min7 F7sus4 | Fm7 Bb min7 Eb7

     


    F7sus4 in F Minor

    When using the F7sus4 chord in the key of F minor, it can serve as a variation of the traditional Fm chord.

    i ii III iv v VI VII
    F min7 Gm7b5 Ab Maj7 Bb min7 C min7 Db Maj7 Eb7

     

    F7sus4 Chord Progressions as i degree
    i VI VII
    i VI VII
    F7sus4 | Fm7 Db Maj7 Eb7
    i iv VI VII
    i iv VI VII
    F7sus4 Bb min7 Db Maj7 Eb7

     


    F7sus4 in C Minor

    When playing in the key of C minor, you can try using the F7sus4 chord as a substitution or variation for the F major chord on the IV degree.

    i ii III iv v VI VII
    C min7 Dm7b5 Eb Maj7 F min7 G min7 Ab Maj7 Bb7

     

    F7sus4 Chord Progressions as iv degree
    iv III VI VII
    iv III VI VII
    F7sus4 | Fm7 Eb Maj7 Ab Maj7 Bb7

     

    i iv VI v
    i iv VI v
    C min7 F7sus4 | Fm7 Ab Maj7 G min7

     


    F7sus4 in Bb Minor

    In the key of Bb minor, the F7sus4 chord can function as a substitution or variation for the fifth chord, adding a unique tonal color to the progression. Pairing it with the F7 chord on the fifth degree, can create a sense of tension and expectation for the resolution to the tonic chord or another chord of the scale.

    i ii III iv v VI VII
    Bb min7 Cm7b5 Db Maj7 Eb min7 F min7 Gb Maj7 Ab7

     

    F7sus4 as v degree – Chord Progressions
    i iv VI v
    i iv VI v
    Bb min7 Eb min7 Gb Maj7 F7sus4 | Fm7

     

    i v VI VII
    i v VI VII
    Bb min7 F7sus4 | Fm7 Gb Maj7 Ab7

     

    i VI v iv
    i VI v iv
    Bb min7 Gb Maj7 F7sus4 | Fm7 Eb min7

     


    Alternative Names for F7sus4 Chord

    • F7sus4
    • F7sus(4)
    • F7 add4(no3)
    • F7 add4(omit3)
    • F Dominant Suspended 4th

     


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