C 7sus4 (C7sus4) chord on piano

7sus4 chord (a sus4 chord plus a minor seventh) on C: the notes of the C7sus4 chord are C – F – G – B♭.

Root position: C4 – F4 – G4 – B♭4

What the C7sus4 chord sounds like

A 7sus4 is a suspended dominant seventh: a fourth replaces the third. It is less tense than a plain 7 chord and popular in funk, jazz and modern pop.

Notes of the C7sus4 chord

Degree	Note	Interval from the root
1	C	root
4	F	perfect fourth (5 semitones)
5	G	perfect fifth (7 semitones)
7	B♭	minor seventh (10 semitones)

Root position and inversions

An inversion uses the same notes, with a different note at the bottom. When you change chords, choosing the nearest inversion keeps your hand almost still.

Root position

C4 – F4 – G4 – B♭4

1st inversion

F4 – G4 – B♭4 – C5

2nd inversion

G4 – B♭4 – C5 – F5

3rd inversion

B♭4 – C5 – F5 – G5

Which keys is it in?

The C7sus4 chord is built from the notes of these keys (for minor keys, both the natural and the harmonic minor are considered):

C minor: I7sus4 (tonic)
F major: V7sus4 (dominant)
F minor: V7sus4 (dominant)
G minor: IV7sus4 (subdominant)
A♭ major: III7sus4
E♭ major: VI7sus4
B♭ major: II7sus4
D minor: VII7sus4

Similar chords and substitutes

If C7sus4 is too hard, or you want a different colour in the same spot, these chords are worth a try.

Substitutes (by function)

F♯7 – tritone substitute: the same third and seventh, swapped – a jazz favourite
Edim7 – diminished seventh on the third: a common stand-in for the dominant
C7 – a simpler dominant
F – where it resolves (V → I)

Simpler versions

Csus4 – all 3 of its notes are in this chord

Richer versions

C11 – the same chord plus 2 colour notes

Frequently asked questions

What notes are in the C7sus4 chord?

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

How do I play the C7sus4 chord on piano?

In root position, the right hand usually plays with fingers 1, 3 and 5 (thumb, middle finger, little finger); four-note chords with fingers 1, 2, 3 and 5. The left hand mirrors this: 5, 3, 1. In an inversion the top or bottom note moves to the other side, so your hand moves less when you change chords.

How is the C7sus4 chord written?

The chord symbol is C7sus4, and its full name is C 7sus4.