suspended fourth chord
C, F and G
- Root
- C
- Perfect fourth
- F
- Perfect fifth
- G
Formula
1 4 5 (5, 7 half steps above C)
Fingering in root position
| Notes | C | F | G |
|---|---|---|---|
| Right hand | 1 | 4 | 5 |
| Left hand | 5 | 2 | 1 |
Csus4 inversions
Csus4 has 2 inversions. Each one keeps the same notes and puts a different one at the bottom, so your hand can stay close to the chord before or after it.
Csus4
Root position
| Notes | C | F | G |
|---|---|---|---|
| Right hand | 1 | 4 | 5 |
| Left hand | 5 | 2 | 1 |
Csus4/F
First inversion
| Notes | F | G | C |
|---|---|---|---|
| Right hand | 1 | 2 | 5 |
| Left hand | 5 | 4 | 1 |
Csus4/G
Second inversion
| Notes | G | C | F |
|---|---|---|---|
| Right hand | 1 | 3 | 5 |
| Left hand | 5 | 3 | 1 |
Where Csus4 fits
Csus4 has no third, so it is neither major nor minor. All of its notes are in C major, F major, B♭ major, E♭ major and A♭ major, so it fits naturally in those keys.
How Csus4 is built
C is the root, F the perfect fourth and G the perfect fifth.
A sus4 chord swaps the third for the fourth, 5 half steps above the root. The fourth often steps down to the third next, turning Csus4 into C major.
Every chord takes every other letter of the alphabet, so the letters of Csus4 are C, F, G. That is why it is spelled C, F and G.
Find Csus4 yourself
Without looking at the diagrams, find the chord on the keyboard, then each inversion. Saying the notes out loud as you tap them helps them stick.
Step 1 of 3
Tap the notes of Csus4, in any octave and any order.
Practice Csus4 in real music
MasterPiano gives you new music to read at your level and listens as you play, through a MIDI keyboard or your device's microphone, marking each note right or wrong.
Start freeQuestions
What notes are in the Csus4 chord?
Csus4 has three notes: C, F and G. C is the root, F the perfect fourth and G the perfect fifth.
What fingers do you use for Csus4 on piano?
In root position, play C, F and G with right hand fingers 1, 4 and 5 (thumb, ring finger and little finger) and left hand fingers 5, 2 and 1. The fingers change a little in each inversion; every inversion on this page shows its own.
What are the inversions of Csus4?
Csus4 has 2 inversions, one for each note other than the root at the bottom. First inversion (Csus4/F): F, G and C. Second inversion (Csus4/G): G, C and F.
What is a suspended fourth chord?
A sus4 chord swaps the third for the fourth, 5 half steps above the root. The fourth often steps down to the third next, turning Csus4 into C major. All the notes of Csus4 are in C major, F major, B♭ major and E♭ major.