Tools / Chords / C♯ 7th suspended 4th

C♯ 7th suspended 4th chord on ukulele (C♯7sus4)

Also written C♯7sus4, C♯ or C♯ Dominant 7th Suspended 4th

C♯ 7th suspended 4th contains C♯, F♯, G♯, and B. The default voicing uses four fretted notes with a pinky stretch, making it an advanced grip.

1st fret1-1-2-2

Positions on the neck1 of 3

How it’s built

C♯1Root

F♯4Perfect 4th

G♯5Perfect 5th

B♭7Minor 7th

Formula 1, 4, 5, ♭7

Positions on the neck1 of 3

Inversions

The same three notes, with a different one in the bass.

Root positionC♯–F♯–G♯–BC♯7sus4Bass C♯

First inversionF♯–G♯–B–C♯C♯7sus4/F♯Bass F♯

Second inversionG♯–B–C♯–F♯C♯7sus4/G♯Bass G♯

Third inversionB–C♯–F♯–G♯C♯7sus4/BBass B

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♯ suspends the chord, while the minor 7th B adds dominant tension. Compare it to C♯ suspended 4th, which omits the 7th.

What goes wrong with C♯ 7th suspended 4th?

Letting the pinky collapse and mute the E string.
Fretting the G and C strings too close together and buzzing.

When to use it

C♯ 7th suspended 4th works as the V chord in F♯ major, resolving to F♯ major in progressions like F♯–B–C♯–F♯ (I–IV–V–I). Use it in jazz and fusion for a suspended dominant sound. Compare it to C♯ minor to hear the suspended 4th against the minor 3rd.

Changing to and from C♯ 7th suspended 4th

Sliding the shape up one fret to the 2nd fret gives D 7th suspended 4th.
Sliding the shape up two frets to the 3rd fret gives E♭ 7th suspended 4th.

Which voicing to use

The 1st fret position is the default shape, with C♯ in the bass. The C♯7sus4/F♯ inversion at the 4th fret puts F♯ in the bass for a brighter sound, while the C♯7sus4/B inversion at the 11th fret adds depth.

How do you play a C♯ 7th suspended 4th chord on ukulele?

1st fret

Intermediate● On the diagram

C♯ 7th suspended 4th is played at the 1st fret as 1 1 2 2: index finger on the G string at fret 1, middle finger on the C string at fret 1, ring finger on the E string at fret 2 and pinky finger on the A string at fret 2.

Tip — The pinky must reach the 2nd fret on the A string while the other fingers hold the 1st fret, requiring a wide stretch.

String-by-string breakdown

String	Fret	Finger	Note
4 (G)	1	1	G♯ (5)
3 (C)	1	2	C♯ (1)
2 (E)	2	3	F♯ (4)
1 (A)	2	4	B (♭7)

C♯7sus4/F♯ inversion

Intermediate

C♯ 7th suspended 4th is played at the 4th fret as 4 6 4 4: index finger on the G string at fret 4, pinky finger on the C string at fret 6, middle finger on the E string at fret 4 and ring finger on the A string at fret 4.

String-by-string breakdown

String	Fret	Finger	Note
4 (G)	4	1	B (♭7)
3 (C)	6	4	F♯ (4)
2 (E)	4	2	G♯ (5)
1 (A)	4	3	C♯ (1)

C♯7sus4/B inversion

Intermediate

C♯ 7th suspended 4th is played at the 9th fret as 11 11 9 11: middle finger on the G string at fret 11, ring finger on the C string at fret 11, index finger on the E string at fret 9 and pinky finger on the A string at fret 11.

String-by-string breakdown

String	Fret	Finger	Note
4 (G)	11	2	F♯ (4)
3 (C)	11	3	B (♭7)
2 (E)	9	1	C♯ (1)
1 (A)	11	4	G♯ (5)

Common questions

How is C♯ 7th suspended 4th written?

C♯ 7th suspended 4th is written C♯7sus4 or C♯ dominant 7th suspended 4th. On a keyboard, use C#7sus4. It is also spelled D♭ in enharmonic notation for the same sounding root.

What is the difference between C♯7sus4 and C♯7?

C♯7sus4 replaces the major 3rd E♯ with the perfect 4th F♯. This removes the leading tone and creates a suspended, unresolved sound.

Can C♯7sus4 be used in a minor key?

C♯7sus4 fits C♯ natural minor as the tonic chord, but it lacks the minor 3rd E. It works best as a dominant in F♯ major or F♯ minor.

String

Fret

Finger

Note

4 (G)

G♯ (5)

3 (C)

C♯ (1)

2 (E)

F♯ (4)

1 (A)

B (♭7)

String

Fret

Finger

Note

4 (G)

B (♭7)

3 (C)

F♯ (4)

2 (E)

G♯ (5)

1 (A)

C♯ (1)

String

Fret

Finger

Note

4 (G)

F♯ (4)

3 (C)

B (♭7)

2 (E)

C♯ (1)

1 (A)

G♯ (5)