C sus4 (Csus4) chord on banjo

Sus4 chord (a perfect fourth instead of the third) on C: the notes of the Csus4 chord are C – F – G.

Dots show:

Basic shapeeasy

Position 5medium

Position 3medium

Position 8medium

Tap a string on a diagram to hear just that string. The sound is generated in your browser with a physical string model.

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What the Csus4 chord sounds like

In a sus4 chord a perfect fourth replaces the third. The fourth is 'suspended' and usually resolves down to the third (sus4 → major), a classic move at cadences.

Notes of the Csus4 chord

Degree	Note	Interval from the root
1	C	root
4	F	perfect fourth (5 semitones)
5	G	perfect fifth (7 semitones)

How to play it – with fingering

Basic shape

String 1 (D): fret 3, little finger (F4)
String 2 (B): fret 1, index finger (C4)
String 3 (G): open (G3)
String 4 (D): fret 3, ring finger (F3)

Position 5

String 1 (D): fret 5, ring finger (G4)
String 2 (B): fret 6, little finger (F4)
String 3 (G): fret 5, middle finger (C4)
String 4 (D): fret 5, index finger (G3)

Position 3

String 1 (D): fret 3, index finger (F4)
String 2 (B): fret 6, little finger (F4)
String 3 (G): fret 5, ring finger (C4)
String 4 (D): fret 5, ring finger (G3)

Five-string banjo in open G tuning (g D G B D). The diagram shows the four long strings; the short 5th string (g) rings open – avoid it when G is not in the chord. In the diagram, × means the string is not played, and a circle means an open string.

Which keys is it in?

The Csus4 chord is built from the notes of these keys (for minor keys, both the natural and the harmonic minor are considered):

C major: Isus4 (tonic)
C minor: Isus4 (tonic)
F major: Vsus4 (dominant)
F minor: Vsus4 (dominant)
G minor: IVsus4 (subdominant)
A♭ major: IIIsus4
E♭ major: VIsus4
B♭ major: IIsus4
D minor: VIIsus4
A minor: IIIsus4

Similar chords and substitutes

If Csus4 is too hard, or you want a different colour in the same spot, these chords are worth a try.

Substitutes (by function)

C – resolves the suspension to major
Cm – or to minor

Same notes

Fsus2 – the same notes with a different root

Richer versions

C7sus4 – the same chord plus 1 colour note
C11 – the same chord plus 3 colour notes

Frequently asked questions

What notes are in the Csus4 chord?

C, F, G. The root is C; the intervals of the other notes from the root: perfect fourth, perfect fifth.

What is the easiest way to play Csus4 on banjo?

The easiest shape above is “Basic shape”, rated easy. We show 4 shapes, from open and easy versions to movable barre shapes higher up the neck.

How do I read the chord diagram?

Strings run from the lowest (left) to the highest (right) – tick “Left-handed” to mirror it. Rows are frets; a number at the side shows the starting fret. Dots are fingers (1 index, 2 middle, 3 ring, 4 little), a long bar is a barre, × means don't play that string and ○ means play it open.

How is the Csus4 chord written?

The chord symbol is Csus4, and its full name is C sus4.