The Csus4 chord contains C, F and G. Its formula is 1–4–5: the fourth, F, takes the place of the third. Neither E nor E♭ belongs to this three-note chord.
The Csus4 chord has a perfect fourth from C to F and a perfect fifth from C to G. Compare C major, C–E–G, by moving F down a semitone to E. This changes the suspended fourth into a major third.
Preserve the written note spelling shown for this chord.
Choose a position to keep the written notes, sounding keys, bass note, playback and print reference synchronized.
Build the Csus4 chord by selecting C, F and G in the exercise. Choosing D instead of F gives the pitch-class set of Csus2; E gives C major. The check reports extra or missing notes without listening to your piano.
Csus4 uses 1–4–5: C–F–G.
Compared with C major, replace the third with the fourth.
The chord tones stay the same while the lowest chord tone changes.
| Position | Symbol | Notes, low to high | Bass |
|---|---|---|---|
| Root position, current selection | Csus4 | C4–F4–G4 | C4 |
| First inversion | Csus4/F | F4–G4–C5 | F4 |
| Second inversion | Csus4/G | G4–C5–F5 | G4 |
Choose a Csus4 chord position to compare the lowest note. The same C, F and G remain present in root position and both inversions. The diagrams identify keys and note order; they do not prescribe finger numbers or a required hand shape.
Use the written notes, keyboard positions and playback without treating the diagram as a required hand shape.
Read left- and right-hand finger numbersPianoChord.org
Supports: sus4 chord formula and written tone pattern
Scope: Supports the chord formula and spelling only; keyboard layouts are PianoGrid examples, and no fingering is assigned.
C, F and G: root, perfect fourth and perfect fifth. There is no major or minor third in this note set.
The Csus4 chord uses F, the fourth above C. Csus2 uses D, the second. Both retain the root C and perfect fifth G while omitting the third.
Moving F to E changes the Csus4 chord to C major and makes a useful listening comparison. That resolution is not required in every piece; the surrounding music determines how the chord functions.
F is lowest in the first inversion and G in the second. Select a position above to compare the bass label, low-to-high note order and sound.
Select the three pitch classes that make Csus4, then check your answer.
This one-octave exercise checks pitch classes. Order and octave do not affect the result; fingering and live performance are not assessed.
One octave, C through B. Select a key again to remove it.
Chord tones: C–F–G · Formula: 1, 4, 5
Dots mark the notes to play. C4 is middle C. Numbers identify octaves, not fingers.