Suspension
A non-chord tone held over from the previous chord, creating tension
Category
harmony
Pronunciation
suh-SPEN-shun
Origin
Latin
Length
92 words · 1 min read
About Suspension
A suspension occurs when a note from one chord is held (or "suspended") into the next, where it clashes with the new harmony before resolving stepwise downward. Named by the intervals they create (e.g.
More harmony terms
Triad
View all harmonyterms →A three-note chord built from stacked thirds
InversionThe process of flipping an interval or rearranging the notes of a chord so a different note is in the bass.
ChordThree or more notes sounded simultaneously
ContrappesoA niche orchestration concept referring to the balancing of harmonic weight between contrasting sonorities
CadenceA harmonic or melodic formula that marks the end of a phrase, section, or piece.
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v1 · 09/04/2026Browse all terms →