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Csus4 chord on guitar

Csus4 (C suspended fourth) is C, F and G. The easiest way to play it is the open Csus4 chord, written x33011. Lay your 1st finger (index) flat across the 2nd and 1st strings at the 1st fret. Put your 3rd finger (ring) on the 5th string, 3rd fret. Put your 4th finger (little) on the 4th string, 3rd fret. Let the 3rd string ring open. Don't play the 6th string: strum from the 5th.

Csus4

C suspended fourth · C F G · 1 4 5

  • Open position

    Open chord

    3411CFGCF

    x33011

  • 3rd fret

    Barre chord, root on the 5th string

    3fr12341CGCFG

    x35563

  • 8th fret

    Barre chord, root on the 6th string

    8fr123411CGCFGC

    8-10-10-10-8-8

Or pick another chord to see and hear it

Root
Chord

Dots show where each finger goes, numbered 1 (index) to 4 (little); the green ones are C, the root.

How to play Csus4

Strings are counted from the thinnest: the 1st is the high E and the 6th the low E. Each shape is written as tab from the 6th string to the 1st, a number for the fret to press, 0 for an open string and x for one not played.

  1. 1. Open chord · Open position

    x33011
    • Lay your 1st finger (index) flat across the 2nd and 1st strings at the 1st fret.
    • Put your 3rd finger (ring) on the 5th string, 3rd fret.
    • Put your 4th finger (little) on the 4th string, 3rd fret.
    • Let the 3rd string ring open.
    • Don't play the 6th string: strum from the 5th.

  2. 2. Barre chord, root on the 5th string · 3rd fret

    x35563
    • Lay your 1st finger (index) flat across the 5th to 1st strings at the 3rd fret.
    • Put your 2nd finger (middle) on the 4th string, 5th fret.
    • Put your 3rd finger (ring) on the 3rd string, 5th fret.
    • Put your 4th finger (little) on the 2nd string, 6th fret.
    • Don't play the 6th string: strum from the 5th.

  3. 3. Barre chord, root on the 6th string · 8th fret

    8-10-10-10-8-8
    • Lay your 1st finger (index) flat across all six strings at the 8th fret.
    • Put your 2nd finger (middle) on the 5th string, 10th fret.
    • Put your 3rd finger (ring) on the 4th string, 10th fret.
    • Put your 4th finger (little) on the 3rd string, 10th fret.

Notes in the Csus4 chord

Csus4 is C, F and G, and it sounds tense in a gentle way: the fourth wants to fall to the third. From C, count 5 half steps up to F and 2 more to G. Its formula is 1 4 5. The shapes above play these notes in different orders and octaves, some more than once, but always with C lowest. See its inversions and keys on the Csus4 piano chord page.

Chords that often come after Csus4

Cx32010Csus4 settles to C: the fourth falls to the third, as most sus4 chords do.C7x32310Csus4 to C7: the same resolve with a seventh, the end of many soul and gospel phrases.Fxx3211As the V chord, Csus4 pulls home to F.

More guitar chords

Other chords on C

CCmC7Cmaj7Cm7Csus2Cadd9C9C6CdimCm7♭5Cdim7Caug

Suspended fourth chords on other notes

C♯sus4Dsus4E♭sus4Esus4Fsus4F♯sus4Gsus4A♭sus4Asus4B♭sus4Bsus4

Or see every chord at once on the guitar chord chart.

Frequently asked questions

How do you play Csus4 on guitar?

The easiest way to play it is the open Csus4 chord, written x33011. Lay your 1st finger (index) flat across the 2nd and 1st strings at the 1st fret. Put your 3rd finger (ring) on the 5th string, 3rd fret. Put your 4th finger (little) on the 4th string, 3rd fret. Let the 3rd string ring open. Don't play the 6th string: strum from the 5th.

What notes are in the Csus4 chord?

Csus4 is C, F and G. In the shape written x33011, the 5th to 1st strings play C, F, G, C and F.

Is Csus4 a barre chord?

It doesn't have to be: x33011 needs no barre. The barre shapes (x35563, 8-10-10-10-8-8) play it higher up the neck and move to any root.

How many ways can you play Csus4 on guitar?

This page shows three: x33011 (open position), x35563 (3rd fret) and 8-10-10-10-8-8 (8th fret). Any chord can be played in more places up the neck; these are the ones chord books show first.

Can I make a beat with Csus4?

Yes. “Make a beat in C major” opens the free editor with a lo-fi beat in C major on C G Am F, the key where Csus4 is the Isus4 chord. Then change any part, add a melody and your voice, part by part. No account is needed to start.

Make a beat in C major

Opens the free editor with a lo-fi beat in C major on C G Am F, the key where Csus4 is the Isus4 chord. Then change any part, add a melody and your voice, part by part. No account needed to start.

Make a beat in C majorAll guitar chords

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