The short version
- Csus4 is C suspended fourth. Its notes are C, F and G (formula 1 – 4 – 5).
- Easiest way to play it: the open shape, frets x 3 3 0 1 1 from low E to high E (x = don’t play).
- It sounds tense, then relieved. Play it for a beat, then drop back to the major chord. It’s the guitar equivalent of raising an eyebrow.
- Csus4 turns up in 10 keys: C major (as the Isus4), A♭ major (as the IIIsus4), E♭ major (as the VIsus4), B♭ major (as the IIsus4) and F major (as the Vsus4), and more in the table below.
- Try it in: Csus4 – C – F – G, tension, release, then the classic rock trio.
How to play Csus4 on guitar, step by step
Start with the shape marked “Start here” above: the open chord, the easiest way in.
- Put your index finger on fret 1 of the 2nd (B) string.
- Put your middle finger on fret 1 of the 1st (high E) string.
- Put your ring finger on fret 3 of the 5th (A) string.
- Put your little finger on fret 3 of the 4th (D) string.
- Let the G string ring open.
- Don’t play the low E string: skip it, or touch it lightly with a spare finger so it can’t ring.
- Strum from the 5th (A) string down, then press Strum on this page to check it sounds the same.
Once that’s comfy, try the other 2 shapes. Shape 2 is the barre chord, root on the 5th string (3rd fret): x 3 5 5 6 3. Shape 3 is the barre chord, root on the 6th string (8th fret): 8 10 10 10 8 8. Same chord, different spot on the neck, which helps when the next chord lives nearby.
Buzzing? Press just behind the fret wire, not in the middle of the fret, and come down on your fingertips so they don’t touch the next string. Then press Strum and play along: if yours sounds duller, one string is muted somewhere.
Notes in the Csus4 chord
Csus4 is built from 3 notes. On guitar you’ll often play some of them twice, on different strings. That’s normal; the chord is still Csus4.
| Note | Interval | What it does |
|---|---|---|
| C | 1 root | Names the chord and anchors the bass. |
| F | 4 perfect fourth | Replaces the third: tense, wants to resolve. |
| G | 5 perfect fifth | Adds weight; often the first note left out. |
What Csus4 sounds like, and when to use it
The third is swapped for the fourth, which creates a little tension. Resolve it back to the major chord and everyone relaxes. Classic rock does this about every eight bars. Play it for a beat, then drop back to the major chord. It’s the guitar equivalent of raising an eyebrow.
What key is Csus4 in?
Csus4 turns up in 10 keys: C major (as the Isus4), A♭ major (as the IIIsus4), E♭ major (as the VIsus4), B♭ major (as the IIsus4) and F major (as the Vsus4), and more in the table below. Tap a key to see the rest of its chords on the circle of fifths.
| Key | Numeral | Spelled as |
|---|---|---|
| C major | Isus4 | Csus4 |
| A♭ major | IIIsus4 | Csus4 |
| E♭ major | VIsus4 | Csus4 |
| B♭ major | IIsus4 | Csus4 |
| F major | Vsus4 | Csus4 |
| A minor | IIIsus4 | Csus4 |
| F minor | Vsus4 | Csus4 |
| C minor | Isus4 | Csus4 |
| G minor | IVsus4 | Csus4 |
| D minor | VIIsus4 | Csus4 |
Chords that go with Csus4
Here’s a progression to try: Csus4 – C – F – G (Isus4–I–IV–V), tension, release, then the classic rock trio.
More progressions → Transpose it →
Using Csus4 in a Suno prompt
Suno pays attention to chord names in a style prompt, at least some of the time. Put the progression in, keep the BPM, and let it fill in the rest. Then compare its guitar part with the shapes above.
Classic rock, 120 BPM, chord progression Csus4 – C – F – G, jangly sus4 to major guitar hooks, driving drums, anthemic chorus, confident male vocals
Csus4 chord FAQ
What notes are in the Csus4 chord?
Csus4 has 3 notes: C (the root), F (the perfect fourth) and G (the perfect fifth). The chord formula is 1 – 4 – 5.
How do you play Csus4 on guitar?
The easy way is open chord. Strings from low E to high E: x 3 3 0 1 1 (x means don’t play that string). Put your index finger on fret 1 of the 2nd (B) string. Put your middle finger on fret 1 of the 1st (high E) string. Put your ring finger on fret 3 of the 5th (A) string. Put your little finger on fret 3 of the 4th (D) string. Let the G string ring open. Don’t play the low E string: skip it, or touch it lightly with a spare finger so it can’t ring.
What does the “sus4” in Csus4 mean?
It tells you the chord type: Csus4 is C suspended fourth. The third is swapped for the fourth, which creates a little tension. Resolve it back to the major chord and everyone relaxes. Classic rock does this about every eight bars.
What key is Csus4 in?
Csus4 turns up in 10 keys: C major (as the Isus4), A♭ major (as the IIIsus4), E♭ major (as the VIsus4), B♭ major (as the IIsus4) and F major (as the Vsus4), and more in the table below. Major keys: C major, A♭ major, E♭ major, B♭ major, F major. Minor keys: A minor, F minor, C minor, G minor, D minor.
What is the difference between Csus4 and Csus2?
Csus4 swaps the third for the fourth (F), which is tense. Csus2 uses the second (D) instead, which is airier and doesn’t need to resolve.
What chords go well with Csus4?
Try C, F, G and Gsus4. The progression Csus4 – C – F – G (Isus4–I–IV–V) is tension, release, then the classic rock trio. Press Play progression on this page to hear it.
Other sus4 chords
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