Also written Csus4, Csus or C Suspended
C suspended 4th contains C, F, and G. The open position mutes the low E string, making it a beginner-friendly shape.
The same three notes, with a different one in the bass.
C suspended 4th is built from the formula 1, 4, 5 — the root C, the perfect fourth F, and the perfect fifth G. The fourth replaces the third, which removes the major or minor quality and leaves an open, unresolved sound. Compare it with C major, where the third is E.
C suspended 4th works as a suspended colour in C major progressions like C–F–G–C, the I–IV–V–I, where it delays the resolution of C major. It also fits folk, pop, and rock when a chord needs to hover before landing.
The open position puts C in the bass for a rooted, stable sound. The Csus4/F inversion places F in the bass, which softens the chord and works well when the bass line is descending toward C.
C suspended 4th is played in open position as × 3 3 0: index finger on the A string at fret 3 and middle finger on the D string at fret 3. The G string rings open. The E string stays muted.
Tip — Muting the 4th string while fretting the 3rd and 2nd strings requires a light touch to avoid accidental noise.
| String | Fret | Finger | Note |
|---|---|---|---|
| 4 (E) | muted | — | — |
| 3 (A) | 3 | 1 | C (1) |
| 2 (D) | 3 | 2 | F (4) |
| 1 (G) | open | — | G (5) |
C suspended 4th is played at the 8th fret as 8 10 10 10: index finger on the E string at fret 8, middle finger on the A string at fret 10, ring finger on the D string at fret 10 and pinky finger on the G string at fret 10.
| String | Fret | Finger | Note |
|---|---|---|---|
| 4 (E) | 8 | 1 | C (1) |
| 3 (A) | 10 | 2 | G (5) |
| 2 (D) | 10 | 3 | C (1) |
| 1 (G) | 10 | 4 | F (4) |
C suspended 4th is played in open position as 1 3 3 0: index finger on the E string at fret 1, middle finger on the A string at fret 3 and ring finger on the D string at fret 3. The G string rings open.
| String | Fret | Finger | Note |
|---|---|---|---|
| 4 (E) | 1 | 1 | F (4) |
| 3 (A) | 3 | 2 | C (1) |
| 2 (D) | 3 | 3 | F (4) |
| 1 (G) | open | — | G (5) |
C suspended 4th is played in open position as 3 3 3 0: barre your index finger across fret 3. The G string rings open.
| 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) | open | — | G (5) |
C suspended 4th is played at the 3rd fret as 3 3 3 5: barre your index finger across fret 3 and pinky finger on the G string at fret 5.
| 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) | 5 | 4 | C (1) |
C suspended 4th is written as Csus or Csus4. The symbol Csus4 specifies the fourth explicitly, while Csus assumes it.
C suspended 4th replaces the third with the fourth, F. C suspended 2nd replaces the third with the second, D, creating an even more open sound.
Yes, C suspended 4th can resolve to C minor by moving the fourth down a half step to the minor third, E♭. This resolution is common in classical and folk music.