Also written Csus4, Csus or C Suspended
contains C, F, G. C suspended 4th is a beginner shape with two open strings and a simple one-finger reach.
The same three notes, with a different one in the bass.
C suspended 4th is built 1, 4, 5 from C: C, F, G. The perfect 4th from C to F replaces the major 3rd, so the chord has no leading tone and no tritone. Compare C major, which uses E instead of F.
C suspended 4th works as a passing chord in C major, often between C major and F major in the I–IV–V–I progression (C–F–G–C). It suits folk and pop strumming where the open strings add brightness. Try it before C major or F major.
The open position at 0-0-1-3 puts C in the bass, giving a grounded sound. The 0-5-3-3 voicing moves F to the bass for a different inversion. Use the ×-5-3-3 shape when you want to skip the low G string.
C suspended 4th is played in open position as 0 0 1 3: index finger on the E string at fret 1 and middle finger on the A string at fret 3. The G and C strings ring open.
Tip — The hardest part is fretting the A string at fret 3 without muting the open C string.
| String | Fret | Finger | Note |
|---|---|---|---|
| 4 (G) | open | — | G (5) |
| 3 (C) | open | — | C (1) |
| 2 (E) | 1 | 1 | F (4) |
| 1 (A) | 3 | 2 | C (1) |
C suspended 4th is played at the 3rd fret as 5 5 3 3: barre your index finger across fret 3, middle finger on the G string at fret 5 and ring finger on the C string at fret 5.
| String | Fret | Finger | Note |
|---|---|---|---|
| 4 (G) | 5 | 2 | C (1) |
| 3 (C) | 5 | 3 | F (4) |
| 2 (E) | 3 | 1 (barre) | G (5) |
| 1 (A) | 3 | 1 (barre) | C (1) |
C suspended 4th is played in open position as 0 5 3 3: ring finger on the C string at fret 5, index finger on the E string at fret 3 and middle 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 | 3 | F (4) |
| 2 (E) | 3 | 1 | G (5) |
| 1 (A) | 3 | 2 | C (1) |
C suspended 4th is played at the 3rd fret as × 5 3 3: ring finger on the C string at fret 5, index finger on the E string at fret 3 and middle finger on the A string at fret 3. The G string stays muted.
| String | Fret | Finger | Note |
|---|---|---|---|
| 4 (G) | muted | — | — |
| 3 (C) | 5 | 3 | F (4) |
| 2 (E) | 3 | 1 | G (5) |
| 1 (A) | 3 | 2 | C (1) |
C suspended 4th is written Csus or Csus4.
C suspended 4th raises the 3rd to F, while C suspended 2nd lowers it to D. Both omit the major 3rd, but the 4th creates a stronger pull toward the 3rd.
C suspended 4th can replace C major briefly to delay resolution. It works best when the next chord is C major or F major.