Piano chord
Csus4C suspended fourth
- C1
- F4
- G5
- Notes
- 3
- Positions
- 3
- Span
- 7semitones
- Fingers
- 1-3-5
How to play Csus4 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.
Csus4 inversions
Here are all 3 positions of Csus4. The notes stay the same, only their order changes: root position has C at the bottom, and every inversion starts on the next chord tone.
- Root positionbass: CRight hand 1-3-5 · Left hand 5-2-1
- 1st inversionbass: FRight hand 1-2-5 · Left hand 5-3-1
- 2nd inversionbass: GRight hand 1-2-5 · Left hand 5-2-1
Csus4 with two hands
A full sound: the left hand plays C an octave lower, the right hand plays C–F–G.
Csus4 on other instruments
About the Csus4 chord
The 3 notes of C suspended fourth are 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 Csus4 without stretching.
The inversions of Csus4 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).
Take B♭ out of C7sus4 and you get Csus4.
Questions
What notes are in the Csus4 chord?
Csus4 (C suspended fourth) has 3 notes: C (1), F (4), G (5).
How many inversions does Csus4 have?
Csus4 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 Csus4 and C7sus4?
Take B♭ out of C7sus4 and you get Csus4.
Can I play Csus4 with one hand?
Yes. In root position Csus4 spans 7 semitones, less than an octave, so one hand holds it easily.