Piano chord
C♯sus4C sharp suspended fourth
- C♯1
- F♯4
- G♯5
- Notes
- 3
- Positions
- 3
- Span
- 7semitones
- Fingers
- 1-3-5
How to play C♯sus4 on piano
- Find C♯: it is the root and the lowest note of the chord in root position.
- Right hand: 1 on C♯, 3 on F♯, 5 on G♯.
- Or with the left hand: 5 on C♯, 2 on F♯, 1 on G♯.
- Press the keys together, with curved fingers and a loose wrist, and let them ring.
Root position · C♯ – F♯ – G♯
1st inversion · F♯ – G♯ – C♯
2nd inversion · G♯ – C♯ – F♯
Numbers on the keys are fingers: 1 thumb, 2 index, 3 middle, 4 ring, 5 little finger.
C♯sus4 inversions
C♯sus4 can be played in 3 positions. In root position C♯ is at the bottom; each inversion moves the lowest note up an octave, so another chord tone becomes the bass.
- Root positionbass: C♯Right hand 1-3-5 · Left hand 5-2-1
- 1st inversionbass: F♯Right hand 1-2-5 · Left hand 5-3-1
- 2nd inversionbass: G♯Right hand 1-2-5 · Left hand 5-2-1
C♯sus4 with two hands
A full sound: the left hand plays C♯ an octave lower, the right hand plays C♯–F♯–G♯.
C♯sus4 on other instruments
About the C♯sus4 chord
C sharp suspended fourth has 3 notes: C♯ (1), F♯ (4), G♯ (5). A suspended fourth: the third is replaced by the fourth. It sounds unfinished and usually resolves to the major chord on the same root.
Put your thumb on C♯ and count up: C♯ – F♯ – G♯. The whole chord spans 7 semitones from bottom to top. That fits inside an octave, so one hand covers C♯sus4 without stretching.
The inversions of C♯sus4 keep the same notes in a new order. In the 1st inversion the bass is F♯ (F♯–G♯–C♯). In the 2nd inversion the bass is G♯ (G♯–C♯–F♯).
C♯sus4 is C♯7sus4 without B.
Questions
What notes are in the C♯sus4 chord?
C♯sus4 (C sharp suspended fourth) has 3 notes: C♯ (1), F♯ (4), G♯ (5).
How many inversions does C♯sus4 have?
C♯sus4 can be played in 3 positions: Root position (C♯–F♯–G♯); 1st inversion (F♯–G♯–C♯); 2nd inversion (G♯–C♯–F♯).
What is the difference between C♯sus4 and C♯7sus4?
C♯sus4 is C♯7sus4 without B.
Can I play C♯sus4 with one hand?
Yes. In root position C♯sus4 spans 7 semitones, less than an octave, so one hand holds it easily.