What is a Suspension (Harmony)?

A suspension in harmony is a type of non-chord tone that occurs when a note from one chord is held over into the next chord, creating temporary dissonance before resolving to a consonant note. The suspended note delays the expected harmony, producing tension that is later resolved.

Suspensions typically follow a three-step process: preparation, suspension, and resolution. In the preparation stage, the note belongs to the first chord. In the suspension stage, the same note is held while the harmony changes, making it clash with the new chord. In the resolution stage, the suspended note moves down by step to a note that fits the new chord.

Suspensions are often described using numbers that indicate the interval formed above the bass note, such as 4–3, 7–6, or 9–8 suspensions. For example, in a 4–3 suspension, a note forming a fourth above the bass resolves down to a third. This technique is widely used in classical harmony to create smooth voice leading and expressive tension within chord progressions.