A sharp Dominant seventh sharp fifth suspended fourth

The 7♯5sus4 sonority combines suspended dominant character with augmented brightness. By suspending the third and sharpening the fifth, the chord sounds unresolved yet intense, making it effective for transitional dominant tension.

Construction

Useful formula: 1-4-♯5-♭7-(9). In C: C-F-G♯-B♭ with optional D. Without the third, suspension remains central; ♯5 adds sharpened instability.

Usage

Best for vamps, pre-resolution builds, and modern dominant textures in fusion, gospel, and cinematic writing. It can delay tonal definition while still maintaining strong directional pull.

Examples

• Suspended altered dominant before final cadence
• Gospel-style held dominant with extra edge
• Cinematic transition chord in tension scenes

Play

Keep 4 and ♭7 clear, place ♯5 so it speaks, and avoid adding a strong third too soon. The eventual suspension release is the expressive pivot.