C#sus4 Guitar Chord Lesson

Let’s talk about the  C#sus4 Guitar Chord today.  The following lesson will demonstrate how to play 5 advanced variations of this chord via the chord charts and video demo below.

The C#sus4 (also known as C# Suspended 4th, C Sharp Suspended 4th) is found within the C# Scale: C#, D#, E#, F#, G#, A#, and B#.  When I say “found”, I mean that the notes  that make up this chord are taken from this scale.  These notes are: C#, F# and G#.  How did we arrive at these notes you ask?  Well, we use a simple formula.  That simple formula is: 1,4 and 5.  This means that we take the 1st, 4th and 5th positions of the C# Scale.

 So the notes again are: C#, F# and G#

Here is a key that will help you read the chart:

Everything on the above chart should be self explanatory, except for the last three in the third column. They may need a bit of explaining. The O, or open symbol, simply means that you do not press down on any notes on that string. The X means you do not strum that particular string. The Barre symbol means you need to barre that particular fret. When you barre a fret you are pressing down on multiple strings at the same time with one finger.

Now on to the actual chord diagrams.  There are 5 voicings of this chord below.  These are a bit challenging so hang in there if you aren’t able to play these right away.

 Chord Playing Tips

Be sure that you are pressing down on the strings hard enough and play each string one at a time to make sure you have a nice clean sound. If any of the strings buzz or sound muted, then something is not right.

C# Suspended 4th Video Demonstration