Also written C7sus4, C or C Dominant 7th Suspended 4th
C 7th suspended 4th contains C, F, G, and B♭. The 8th-fret shape demands a wide stretch, and the 3rd-fret inversion requires a full barre.
The same three notes, with a different one in the bass.
C 7th suspended 4th is built from the formula 1, 4, 5, ♭7. The perfect 4th between C and F creates the suspended sound, while the minor 7th B♭ adds tension. Compare it to C suspended 4th, which omits the minor 7th.
C 7th suspended 4th functions as the V chord in F major, heard in the I–IV–V–I progression F major–B♭ major–C major–F major. It fits blues and rock bass lines that need a suspended dominant. Compare it to C minor to hear the difference between a suspended dominant and a minor chord.
The 8th-fret shape keeps C in the bass for a strong root position. The C7sus4/G inversion at the 3rd fret puts G in the bass, which gives a softer, less grounded feel.
C 7th suspended 4th is played at the 8th fret as 8 10 8 10: index finger on the E string at fret 8, ring finger on the A string at fret 10, middle finger on the D string at fret 8 and pinky finger on the G string at fret 10.
Tip — The 3rd-fret inversion requires barring all four strings cleanly while keeping the bass note G clear.
| String | Fret | Finger | Note |
|---|---|---|---|
| 4 (E) | 8 | 1 | C (1) |
| 3 (A) | 10 | 3 | G (5) |
| 2 (D) | 8 | 2 | B♭ (♭7) |
| 1 (G) | 10 | 4 | F (4) |
C 7th suspended 4th is played at the 3rd fret as 3 3 3 3: barre your index finger across fret 3.
| String | Fret | Finger | Note |
|---|---|---|---|
| 4 (E) | 3 | 1 (barre) | G (5) |
| 3 (A) | 3 | 1 (barre) | C (1) |
| 2 (D) | 3 | 1 (barre) | F (4) |
| 1 (G) | 3 | 1 (barre) | B♭ (♭7) |
C 7th suspended 4th is played at the 15th fret as 15 15 15 15: barre your index finger across fret 15.
| String | Fret | Finger | Note |
|---|---|---|---|
| 4 (E) | 15 | 1 (barre) | G (5) |
| 3 (A) | 15 | 1 (barre) | C (1) |
| 2 (D) | 15 | 1 (barre) | F (4) |
| 1 (G) | 15 | 1 (barre) | B♭ (♭7) |
C 7th suspended 4th adds the minor 7th B♭ to the C, F, and G of C suspended 4th. That extra note creates a dominant pull toward F major.
No, this chord has no open-string voicing. The lowest position is the 3rd-fret inversion, which requires a barre.
They often let the ring finger collapse onto the D string, muting the 8th-fret note. Keep that finger arched to let every string ring.