Train Your Ear & Fingers: The C#sus4 Guitar Chord Guide
Ready to conquer the C#sus4 chord? Our interactive tool offers immediate feedback to refine your playing. Experience real-time microphone feedback as you practice, ensuring your hand placement and strumming are spot-on. This distinct member of the suspended chords family replaces the usual third interval, featuring the notes C#, F#, and G#, which are the 1 (Root), 4 (Perfect Fourth), and 5 (Perfect Fifth). Utilize the virtual fretboard to visualize every fingering and hear the chord played as a strum or arpeggio, making learning both effective and engaging.
The unique sound of a suspended chord, where the third is replaced by a perfect fourth, creates a tension that yearns for resolution, central to its musical application. If you're interested in the theory of how chords are built from intervals, our guide on Chord Construction provides a comprehensive overview. For a deeper understanding of this entire family of chords, explore our dedicated tutorial on Suspended Chords. Given that many C#sus4 shapes incorporate barring, our resource on Guitar Bar Chords can be invaluable for practice. After mastering the shapes, focus on smooth transitions with tips from Improve Chords Change.
Below, you will find a full collection of C#sus4 chord diagrams, ranging from open positions to more intricate barre shapes, structured from easiest to hardest. We also explore the music theory pertinent to this chord, provide examples of songs where it is effectively used, and identify the musical keys in which it frequently appears. However, before you delve into these resources, challenge yourself with the interactive tool above. Utilize the drum & BPM tool to set your rhythm, strum the chord, and let the mic feedback objectively verify your accuracy. This direct, hands-on engagement is paramount for truly internalizing the C#sus4 chord and making it a confident part of your repertoire.
Notes that compose the C# sus4 chord:
Tones in the Suspended Fourth chord:
How To Play The C# Suspended Fourth chord on guitar
Position 1
Barre
Movable
Position 2
Barre
Movable
Position 3
Barre
Movable
Find more shapes in our all guitar chords online library. If you
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You can also use this accessible C#sus4 chord page, with written diagram instructions and screen-reader support for blind users.
FAQ
What notes make up the C# sus4 chord?
The C# sus4 chord is composed of three specific notes: C# (the root), F# (the perfect fourth), and G# (the perfect fifth).
What does 'sus4' mean in the C# sus4 chord name?
The 'sus4' in C# sus4 stands for 'suspended fourth.' It signifies that the chord replaces the typical third interval (which determines if a chord is major or minor) with a perfect fourth interval. This gives the chord a distinct, open, and unresolved sound.
What are the intervals used to build a C# sus4 chord?
The C# sus4 chord is constructed using three specific intervals relative to its root: the 1 (Root), the 4 (Perfect Fourth), and the 5 (Perfect Fifth).
How does a C# sus4 chord differ from a standard C# major or minor chord?
The primary difference is that the C# sus4 chord deliberately omits the third interval. Regular C# major or minor chords include either a major third or a minor third, respectively. By replacing this with a perfect fourth, the C# sus4 loses its major or minor quality and creates a unique, open harmonic sound.
Is a C# sus4 chord considered a power chord?
While often grouped with 'power chords' due to its open sound and the absence of a third interval, a traditional power chord typically consists only of the root and the perfect fifth (1 and 5). The C# sus4 chord adds the perfect fourth (1, 4, 5), giving it a slightly fuller sound while still sharing the characteristic openness.