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C 7th suspended 4th chord on guitar (C7sus4)
Also called or written C7sus4, C or C Dominant 7th Suspended 4th
C 7th suspended 4th contains C, F, G and B♭. The default voicing is a full six-string barre at the 8th fret, with the pinky stretching to the 10th fret on the G string.
How it is built
Formula 1, 4, 5, ♭7
- Root positionC–F–G–B♭C7sus48-8-8-10-8-8
- First inversionF–G–B♭–CC7sus4/F1-1-3-0-1-×
- Second inversionG–B♭–C–FC7sus4/G3-1-3-0-1-×
- Third inversionB♭–C–F–GC7sus4/B♭×-1-3-0-1-1
How do you play a C 7th suspended 4th chord on guitar?
C 7th suspended 4th is played at the 8th fret as 8 8 8 10 8 8: barre your index finger across fret 8 and pinky finger on the G string at fret 10.
Full note and interval breakdown
| String | Fret | Finger | Note |
|---|---|---|---|
| 6 (E) | 8 | 1 (barre) | C (1) |
| 5 (A) | 8 | 1 (barre) | F (4) |
| 4 (D) | 8 | 1 (barre) | B♭ (♭7) |
| 3 (G) | 10 | 4 | F (4) |
| 2 (B) | 8 | 1 (barre) | G (5) |
| 1 (e) | 8 | 1 (barre) | C (1) |
AdvancedThe index finger must barre all six strings at the 8th fret while the pinky reaches the 10th fret on the G string, requiring strength and stretch.
8th fret · 8-10-8-10-8-8
C 7th suspended 4th is played at the 8th fret as 8 10 8 10 8 8: barre your index finger across fret 8, ring finger on the A string at fret 10 and pinky finger on the G string at fret 10.
Full note and interval breakdown
| String | Fret | Finger | Note |
|---|---|---|---|
| 6 (E) | 8 | 1 (barre) | C (1) |
| 5 (A) | 10 | 3 | G (5) |
| 4 (D) | 8 | 1 (barre) | B♭ (♭7) |
| 3 (G) | 10 | 4 | F (4) |
| 2 (B) | 8 | 1 (barre) | G (5) |
| 1 (e) | 8 | 1 (barre) | C (1) |
C7sus4/F inversion · 1-1-3-0-1-×
C 7th suspended 4th is played in open position as 1 1 3 0 1 ×: index finger on the low E string at fret 1, middle finger on the A string at fret 1, pinky finger on the D string at fret 3 and ring finger on the B string at fret 1. The G string rings open. The high e string stays muted.
Full note and interval breakdown
| String | Fret | Finger | Note |
|---|---|---|---|
| 6 (E) | 1 | 1 | F (4) |
| 5 (A) | 1 | 2 | B♭ (♭7) |
| 4 (D) | 3 | 4 | F (4) |
| 3 (G) | open | — | G (5) |
| 2 (B) | 1 | 3 | C (1) |
| 1 (e) | muted | — | — |
C7sus4/F inversion · 1-1-3-3-1-3
C 7th suspended 4th is played at the 1st fret as 1 1 3 3 1 3: barre your index finger across fret 1, middle finger on the D string at fret 3, ring finger on the G string at fret 3 and pinky finger on the high e string at fret 3.
Full note and interval breakdown
| String | Fret | Finger | Note |
|---|---|---|---|
| 6 (E) | 1 | 1 (barre) | F (4) |
| 5 (A) | 1 | 1 (barre) | B♭ (♭7) |
| 4 (D) | 3 | 2 | F (4) |
| 3 (G) | 3 | 3 | B♭ (♭7) |
| 2 (B) | 1 | 1 (barre) | C (1) |
| 1 (e) | 3 | 4 | G (5) |
C7sus4/F inversion · ×-8-8-10-8-8
C 7th suspended 4th is played at the 8th fret as × 8 8 10 8 8: barre your index finger across fret 8 and pinky finger on the G string at fret 10. The low E string stays muted.
Full note and interval breakdown
| String | Fret | Finger | Note |
|---|---|---|---|
| 6 (E) | muted | — | — |
| 5 (A) | 8 | 1 (barre) | F (4) |
| 4 (D) | 8 | 1 (barre) | B♭ (♭7) |
| 3 (G) | 10 | 4 | F (4) |
| 2 (B) | 8 | 1 (barre) | G (5) |
| 1 (e) | 8 | 1 (barre) | C (1) |
Why it sounds like that
C 7th suspended 4th is built from the formula 1, 4, 5, ♭7. The perfect 4th between C and F replaces the major 3rd, suspending the chord. Compare it to C suspended 4th, which omits the minor 7th.
What goes wrong with C 7th suspended 4th?
- Buzzing on the B or high E string because the barre is uneven.
- Letting the pinky flatten and touch the D or B string, muting them.
When to use it
C 7th suspended 4th works as the V chord in F major, resolving to F major in a I–IV–V–I progression. It also fits C minor and C 5th contexts. The suspended 4th creates tension before a resolution to C major.
Changing to and from C 7th suspended 4th
- Move to C minor by lifting the pinky and placing it on the G string at the 8th fret, while keeping the barre at the 8th fret.
Which voicing to use
The 8th fret barre voicing is the default and keeps C in the bass. The C7sus4/F inversion at the 1st fret puts F in the bass, softening the root. Choose the root-position shape for a firm foundation.
Other C chords
Common questions
What mistake do players make with the C7sus4 barre?
The pinky often fails to press the G string at the 10th fret cleanly, causing a muted note. Keep the pinky arched and close to the fret.
How does C7sus4 differ from C minor 7th?
C7sus4 replaces the minor 3rd E♭ with the perfect 4th F. C minor 7th contains E♭, while C7sus4 contains F, creating a suspended sound.
Is there an easier C7sus4 voicing than the 8th fret barre?
The C7sus4/F inversion at the 1st fret uses a partial barre and open strings, making it easier for some players. It puts F in the bass, which changes the sound.