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C♯ 7th suspended 4th chord on guitar (C♯7sus4)
Also called or written C♯7sus4, 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 9th fret, with the pinky stretching to the 11th fret on the G string.
How it is built
Formula 1, 4, 5, ♭7
- Root positionC♯–F♯–G♯–BC♯7sus49-9-9-11-9-9
- First inversionF♯–G♯–B–C♯C♯7sus4/F♯2-2-4-4-2-4
- Second inversionG♯–B–C♯–F♯C♯7sus4/G♯4-2-4-4-2-2
- Third inversionB–C♯–F♯–G♯C♯7sus4/B×-2-4-4-2-4
How do you play a C♯ 7th suspended 4th chord on guitar?
C♯ 7th suspended 4th is played at the 9th fret as 9 9 9 11 9 9: barre your index finger across fret 9 and pinky finger on the G string at fret 11.
Full note and interval breakdown
| String | Fret | Finger | Note |
|---|---|---|---|
| 6 (E) | 9 | 1 (barre) | C♯ (1) |
| 5 (A) | 9 | 1 (barre) | F♯ (4) |
| 4 (D) | 9 | 1 (barre) | B (♭7) |
| 3 (G) | 11 | 4 | F♯ (4) |
| 2 (B) | 9 | 1 (barre) | G♯ (5) |
| 1 (e) | 9 | 1 (barre) | C♯ (1) |
AdvancedThe index finger must barre all six strings at the 9th fret while the pinky reaches the 11th fret on the G string, requiring strength and stretch.
9th fret · 9-11-9-11-9-9
C♯ 7th suspended 4th is played at the 9th fret as 9 11 9 11 9 9: barre your index finger across fret 9, ring finger on the A string at fret 11 and pinky finger on the G string at fret 11.
Full note and interval breakdown
| String | Fret | Finger | Note |
|---|---|---|---|
| 6 (E) | 9 | 1 (barre) | C♯ (1) |
| 5 (A) | 11 | 3 | G♯ (5) |
| 4 (D) | 9 | 1 (barre) | B (♭7) |
| 3 (G) | 11 | 4 | F♯ (4) |
| 2 (B) | 9 | 1 (barre) | G♯ (5) |
| 1 (e) | 9 | 1 (barre) | C♯ (1) |
C♯7sus4/F♯ inversion · fret 2
C♯ 7th suspended 4th is played at the 2nd fret as 2 2 4 4 2 4: barre your index finger across fret 2, middle finger on the D string at fret 4, ring finger on the G string at fret 4 and pinky finger on the high e string at fret 4.
Full note and interval breakdown
| String | Fret | Finger | Note |
|---|---|---|---|
| 6 (E) | 2 | 1 (barre) | F♯ (4) |
| 5 (A) | 2 | 1 (barre) | B (♭7) |
| 4 (D) | 4 | 2 | F♯ (4) |
| 3 (G) | 4 | 3 | B (♭7) |
| 2 (B) | 2 | 1 (barre) | C♯ (1) |
| 1 (e) | 4 | 4 | G♯ (5) |
C♯7sus4/F♯ inversion · fret 9
C♯ 7th suspended 4th is played at the 9th fret as × 9 9 11 9 9: barre your index finger across fret 9 and pinky finger on the G string at fret 11. The low E string stays muted.
Full note and interval breakdown
| String | Fret | Finger | Note |
|---|---|---|---|
| 6 (E) | muted | — | — |
| 5 (A) | 9 | 1 (barre) | F♯ (4) |
| 4 (D) | 9 | 1 (barre) | B (♭7) |
| 3 (G) | 11 | 4 | F♯ (4) |
| 2 (B) | 9 | 1 (barre) | G♯ (5) |
| 1 (e) | 9 | 1 (barre) | C♯ (1) |
C♯7sus4/G♯ inversion
C♯ 7th suspended 4th is played at the 2nd fret as 4 2 4 4 2 2: barre your index finger across fret 2, middle finger on the low E string at fret 4, ring finger on the D string at fret 4 and pinky finger on the G string at fret 4.
Full note and interval breakdown
| String | Fret | Finger | Note |
|---|---|---|---|
| 6 (E) | 4 | 2 | G♯ (5) |
| 5 (A) | 2 | 1 (barre) | B (♭7) |
| 4 (D) | 4 | 3 | F♯ (4) |
| 3 (G) | 4 | 4 | B (♭7) |
| 2 (B) | 2 | 1 (barre) | C♯ (1) |
| 1 (e) | 2 | 1 (barre) | F♯ (4) |
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 9th fret, while keeping the barre at the 9th fret.
Which voicing to use
The 9th fret barre voicing is the default and keeps C♯ in the bass. The C♯7sus4/F♯ inversion at the 2nd fret puts F♯ in the bass, softening the root. Choose the root-position shape for a firm foundation.
Other C♯ chords
Common questions
How do I write C♯ 7th suspended 4th?
C♯ 7th suspended 4th is written C♯7sus4 or C#7sus4. The ASCII root is C#. It is also spelled D♭ in enharmonic notation for the same sounding root.
What mistake do players make with the C♯7sus4 barre?
The pinky often fails to press the G string at the 11th fret cleanly, causing a muted note. Keep the pinky arched and close to the fret.
How does C♯7sus4 differ from C♯ minor 7th?
C♯7sus4 replaces the minor 3rd E with the perfect 4th F♯. C♯ minor 7th contains E, while C♯7sus4 contains F♯, creating a suspended sound.