C♯sus4 (C sharp suspended fourth) is built from 3 notes: C♯, F♯, G♯.
- C♯root
- F♯perfect fourth
- G♯perfect fifth
Formula: 1, 4, 5
How to play C♯sus4 on guitar
x 4 6 6 7 49 11 11 11 9 9Read the diagrams with the low E string on the left. × means do not play that string, ○ means play it open.
Easier way: there is no open C♯sus4 shape, so it is usually played with one of the movable shapes above. With a capo you can use a shape you already know: capo on fret 1 and play the Csus4 shape, or capo on fret 4 and play the Asus4 shape.
How to play C♯sus4 on piano
Play C♯, F♯, G♯ together. With your right hand, use fingers 1, 3 and 5 (thumb on C♯). Your left hand can play C♯ an octave lower for a fuller sound.
How C♯sus4 is used
A sus4 chord takes out the third and puts the fourth in its place. C♯sus4 has F♯ where C♯ has E♯. With no third, the chord is neither major nor minor, and it sounds like it is waiting to go somewhere.
Most of the time the F♯ drops one step and the chord settles back into C♯. Try these:
- C♯ - C♯sus4 - C♯: a quick change that adds movement while you strum one chord.
- C♯sus4 - C♯ - F♯: the sus4 builds a little tension before the five chord resolves to F♯.
Related chords
Change this chord into another key with the Chord Transposer, or look up any other chord or scale in the Chord and Scale Finder.