Excuse me, but what is the difference between sus4 and...

[MicceO]

...P4?

[jeff schmidt]

Perfect 4th is an interval between two notes and sus4 is a chord voiced in a way so the 4th doesn't sound like an "avoid" note.

[Lyle Caldwell]

The fourth is "suspended" and wants to resolve to the major third. You'll also see sus 2 chords which also want to move to the major third.

See any Byrds song for reference.

[MicceO]

Originally Posted by jeff schmidt

Perfect 4th is an interval between two notes and sus4 is a chord voiced in a way so the 4th doesn't sound like an "avoid" note.

Thanks for your reply, but I'm afraid I'm even a bit more confused (but that's only because of my limited knowledge of theory)

So, perhaps I try to be more precise and tell the backround of this question.

I have a Fowler fingerboard book and there was a picture of a fingerboard where there was: root, m3, M3, sus4, d5, P5 and a5. This was the starting point where he started to explain something that I've not read yet.

So, I was surprised to see sus4 next door to R, as I've always thought it's P4 who resides there!

Any comments on Fowler's books?

[chrismmc]

...I am not familiar with the Fowler books...but it sound like it is showing how arpeggios(chords)are built.
To answer your question simply,a sus4 is a type of chord,while a p4(perfect4) is an interval(distance between 2 notes)...4ths,5ths and 8ths(octave) are called perfect because the do not determine major or minor tonality.

[Richard Lindsey]

Originally Posted by MicceO

Thanks for your reply, but I'm afraid I'm even a bit more confused (but that's only because of my limited knowledge of theory)

So, perhaps I try to be more precise and tell the backround of this question.

I have a Fowler fingerboard book and there was a picture of a fingerboard where there was: root, m3, M3, sus4, d5, P5 and a5. This was the starting point where he started to explain something that I've not read yet.

So, I was surprised to see sus4 next door to R, as I've always thought it's P4 who resides there!

Any comments on Fowler's books?

Without seeing the book, my guess is that the author made a mistake. In using the terms m3, M3, d5, etc. he's using the language of *intervals*, but sus4 is a term from the language of *chords*. To be consistent and stay with the language of intervals, I think he probably should have said P4.

[SteveC]

I have to agree. It's a typo.

[johnvice]

Originally Posted by Lyle Caldwell

You'll also see sus 2 chords which also want to move to the major third.

Why do sus2 chords resolve / "want to move" to the third ?

The interval between the 2nd and the 1st is the same as from the 2nd to the third .

[MicceO]

Ok, I see. Sus4 refers to something else than intervals. So I won't let that confuse my head when learning intervals.

Thank you all for your responses, and Merry Xmas!

MicceO

[chrismmc]

Good idea!You will learn all about suspended chords later on...