Suspended & power

C suspended 4th chord

Hanging tension that usually resolves to a major or minor chord.

How to play Csus4

x33013 · Open position

Right hand: C (1), F (3), G (5)

0013 · Open position

On guitar, Csus4 has an open-position shape, x33013, using four fingers alongside the open strings. Don’t strum the low E string.

On piano, Csus4 sits entirely on white keys.

On ukulele the usual Csus4 shape is 0013, using two fingers.

Csus4 contains exactly the same notes as Fsus2. Which name fits depends on which note is in the bass and what key you’re in.

Move a single note and Csus4 becomes a different chord: lower F to E for C, swap F for E♭ for Cm, swap F for D for Csus2 and add B♭ for C7sus4.