C suspended fourth chord (Csus4)
The C suspended fourth chord (Csus4) is a suspended chord: C, F and G (root, perfect fourth and perfect fifth). It has no third, so it is neither major nor minor.
It is the Isus4 in C major and the Vsus4 in F major, and it usually resolves to the major or minor chord on the same root.
Below: voicings, notes on the fretboard, ukulele, piano, inversions and progressions.
How to play C suspended fourth on guitar
There are 3 guitar voicings.
Frets from the 6th string to the 1st: x = not played, 0 = open string.
- Voicing 1: x-3-3-0-1-1, barre at fret 1, with C in the bass (fingers x-3-4-0-1-1).
- Voicing 2: 8-10-10-10-8-8, movable E-shape barre chord at fret 8, with C in the bass.
- Voicing 3: x-3-5-5-6-3, movable A-shape barre chord at fret 3, with C in the bass.
Notes of the C suspended fourth chord on the fretboard
C suspended fourth has 3 notes: C, F and G. This is where they fall on each string, from the nut to the 12th fret (fret number in parentheses):
- String 6 (E): F (1) · G (3) · C (8)
- String 5 (A): C (3) · F (8) · G (10)
- String 4 (D): F (3) · G (5) · C (10)
- String 3 (G): G (0) · C (5) · F (10) · G (12)
- String 2 (B): C (1) · F (6) · G (8)
- String 1 (E): F (1) · G (3) · C (8)
Formula and intervals of C suspended fourth
Its formula is 1-4-5; in semitones from the root, 0-5-7.
- C: Root, the note that gives the chord its name
- F: Perfect fourth (P4), 5 semitones above C
- G: Perfect fifth (P5), 7 semitones above C
C suspended fourth on ukulele
- Ukulele (G C E A): 0-0-1-3; it sounds G, C, F and C.
C suspended fourth on piano
- Keys: C4, F4 and G4.
Inversions of C suspended fourth
Each inversion puts a different note in the bass.
- Root position: C, F and G, with C in the bass.
- First inversion (Csus4/F): F, G and C, with F in the bass.
- Second inversion (Csus4/G): G, C and F, with G in the bass.
Keys that use C suspended fourth
C suspended fourth appears in 10 major and minor keys.
| Key | Degree | Function |
|---|---|---|
| C major (no sharps or flats) | Isus4 | Tonic |
| B♭ major (2 flats) | IIsus4 | Supertonic |
| A♭ major (4 flats) | IIIsus4 | Mediant |
| F major (1 flat) | Vsus4 | Dominant |
| E♭ major (3 flats) | VIsus4 | Submediant |
| C minor (3 flats) | Isus4 | Tonic |
| A minor (no sharps or flats) | IIIsus4 | Mediant |
| G minor (2 flats) | IVsus4 | Subdominant |
| F minor (4 flats) | Vsus4 | Dominant |
| D minor (1 flat) | VIIsus4 | Subtonic |
Progressions with C suspended fourth
- Sus4 resolution in C major (Isus4–I): Csus4 – C
Frequently asked questions
What notes are in the C suspended fourth chord?
C, F and G: root, perfect fourth and perfect fifth. Its formula is 1-4-5.
Which keys use C suspended fourth?
Mainly as the Isus4 in C major and the Vsus4 in F major. In total it appears in 10 major and minor keys.
What does “sus” mean in C suspended fourth?
That the chord is suspended: the third is replaced by another note, leaving C, F and G (root, perfect fourth and perfect fifth). Without a third, it can move to either the major or the minor triad on the same root.