What is a Suspension (Music)?

A suspension in music is a type of non-chord tone created when a note from a previous chord is held over into the next chord, where it temporarily becomes dissonant before resolving downward by step to a chord tone. This technique creates a moment of tension that is resolved when the suspended note moves to a stable note within the new harmony.

Suspensions usually follow a three-step pattern: preparation, suspension, and resolution. In the preparation stage, the note belongs to the original chord. In the suspension stage, that same note is held while the harmony changes, causing it to clash with the new chord. Finally, in the resolution stage, the note moves down by step to a chord tone that fits the new harmony.

Suspensions are common in many musical styles, especially in classical harmony and choral music. They are often described using numbers that indicate the interval created above the bass note, such as a 4–3 suspension or 7–6 suspension. This technique adds expressive tension and smooth voice leading, making harmonic progressions sound more dynamic and emotionally engaging.