Also written C7sus4, C or C Dominant 7th Suspended 4th
C 7th suspended 4th is built from C, F, G, and B♭. The open position uses only two fretted notes, making it one of the easier advanced shapes.
The same three notes, with a different one in the bass.
C 7th suspended 4th uses the formula 1, 4, 5, ♭7. The perfect 4th from C to F creates the suspended character, while the minor 7th from C to B♭ adds dominant tension. Compare it to C suspended 4th, which lacks the 7th.
C 7th suspended 4th functions as the V chord in F major, resolving to F major in progressions like I–IV–V–I (F major–B♭ major–C major–F major). Its open, airy sound suits folk, pop, and ballads. Use it to add movement before a F major resolution. Compare C minor.
The open position has C in the bass, giving a root-position sound. The F inversion at 3-5-3-3 puts the 4th in the bass, creating a softer, more suspended feel. The B♭ inversion at 10-10-8-10 has the 7th in the bass, adding tension.
C 7th suspended 4th is played in open position as 0 0 1 1: index finger on the E string at fret 1 and middle finger on the A string at fret 1. The G and C strings ring open.
Tip — The open strings must ring clearly while two fingers fret adjacent strings at the first fret, requiring precise placement.
| String | Fret | Finger | Note |
|---|---|---|---|
| 4 (G) | open | — | G (5) |
| 3 (C) | open | — | C (1) |
| 2 (E) | 1 | 1 | F (4) |
| 1 (A) | 1 | 2 | B♭ (♭7) |
C 7th suspended 4th is played at the 3rd fret as 3 5 3 3: index finger on the G string at fret 3, pinky finger on the C string at fret 5, middle finger on the E string at fret 3 and ring finger on the A string at fret 3.
| String | Fret | Finger | Note |
|---|---|---|---|
| 4 (G) | 3 | 1 | B♭ (♭7) |
| 3 (C) | 5 | 4 | F (4) |
| 2 (E) | 3 | 2 | G (5) |
| 1 (A) | 3 | 3 | C (1) |
C 7th suspended 4th is played at the 8th fret as 10 10 8 10: middle finger on the G string at fret 10, ring finger on the C string at fret 10, index finger on the E string at fret 8 and pinky finger on the A string at fret 10.
| String | Fret | Finger | Note |
|---|---|---|---|
| 4 (G) | 10 | 2 | F (4) |
| 3 (C) | 10 | 3 | B♭ (♭7) |
| 2 (E) | 8 | 1 | C (1) |
| 1 (A) | 10 | 4 | G (5) |
C 7th suspended 4th is played in open position as 0 5 6 3: middle finger on the C string at fret 5, ring finger on the E string at fret 6 and index finger on the A string at fret 3. The G string rings open.
| String | Fret | Finger | Note |
|---|---|---|---|
| 4 (G) | open | — | G (5) |
| 3 (C) | 5 | 2 | F (4) |
| 2 (E) | 6 | 3 | B♭ (♭7) |
| 1 (A) | 3 | 1 | C (1) |
C 7th suspended 4th is written as C7sus4 or C. The alternate name is Dominant 7th Suspended 4th.
C7sus4 replaces the major 3rd (E) with a perfect 4th (F). C7 contains the major 3rd, giving it a stronger dominant pull. The suspended version sounds more open and less resolved.
Yes, C7sus4 appears in C natural minor as the VII chord. It also fits F natural minor and G natural minor. Its lack of a major 3rd makes it flexible across modes.