C Sus4 Triads on Guitar: Every Inversion on Every String Set

A C sus4 triad is C, F and G (1 4 5). It has three arrangements, root position, first inversion and second inversion, and each can be played on four groups of three strings: all twelve shapes are below.

Keys

Triads — Csus4

Root position

12C shape
3A shape
5G shape
8E shape

The notes of Csus4

C sus4 is a perfect fourth (five frets) and then a major second, with no third at all. Root position puts C at the bottom (C, F and G); first inversion puts F at the bottom (F, G and C); second inversion puts G at the bottom (G, C and F).

Csus4 replaces the third with the fourth, F. With no third it is neither major nor minor; the fourth wants to fall a semitone or a tone to the third, which is why Csus4 so often resolves to C or Cm.

Csus4 on every string set

On the low E, A and D strings: root position at frets 5–8, first inversion at frets 10–13 and second inversion at fret 3.

Csus4 triad, root position, on the low E, A and D strings: C (root) on the low E string, fret 8; F on the A string, fret 8; G on the D string, fret 5.
Root position
Csus4 triad, first inversion, on the low E, A and D strings: F on the low E string, fret 13; G on the A string, fret 10; C (root) on the D string, fret 10.
First inversion
Csus4 triad, second inversion, on the low E, A and D strings: G on the low E string, fret 3; C (root) on the A string, fret 3; F on the D string, fret 3.
Second inversion

On the A, D and G strings: root position at frets 0–3, first inversion at frets 5–8 and second inversion at fret 10.

Csus4 triad, root position, on the A, D and G strings: C (root) on the A string, fret 3; F on the D string, fret 3; G on the G string, fret 0.
Root position
Csus4 triad, first inversion, on the A, D and G strings: F on the A string, fret 8; G on the D string, fret 5; C (root) on the G string, fret 5.
First inversion
Csus4 triad, second inversion, on the A, D and G strings: G on the A string, fret 10; C (root) on the D string, fret 10; F on the G string, fret 10.
Second inversion

On the D, G and B strings: root position at frets 8–10, first inversion at frets 0–3 and second inversion at frets 5–6.

Csus4 triad, root position, on the D, G and B strings: C (root) on the D string, fret 10; F on the G string, fret 10; G on the B string, fret 8.
Root position
Csus4 triad, first inversion, on the D, G and B strings: F on the D string, fret 3; G on the G string, fret 0; C (root) on the B string, fret 1.
First inversion
Csus4 triad, second inversion, on the D, G and B strings: G on the D string, fret 5; C (root) on the G string, fret 5; F on the B string, fret 6.
Second inversion

On the G, B and high e strings: root position at frets 3–6, first inversion at frets 8–10 and second inversion at frets 0–1.

Csus4 triad, root position, on the G, B and high e strings: C (root) on the G string, fret 5; F on the B string, fret 6; G on the high e string, fret 3.
Root position
Csus4 triad, first inversion, on the G, B and high e strings: F on the G string, fret 10; G on the B string, fret 8; C (root) on the high e string, fret 8.
First inversion
Csus4 triad, second inversion, on the G, B and high e strings: G on the G string, fret 0; C (root) on the B string, fret 1; F on the high e string, fret 1.
Second inversion

Where the inversions sit in the CAGED shapes

The practice pad above shows Csus4's triads inside each CAGED shape. Use the R, 2, 3 and V switches to see each arrangement:

  • Root position: C shape (fret 12), A shape (fret 3), G shape (fret 5) and E shape (fret 8).
  • First inversion: C shape (fret 12), G shape (fret 5) and E shape (fret 8).
  • Second inversion: C shape (fret 12), A shape (fret 5) and E shape (fret 10).

Where Csus4 appears

Csus4 isn't built on the scale's thirds, so it isn't a diatonic chord in the usual sense, but all three of its notes fit 12 keys: C major (on the 1st degree), E♭ major (on the 6th degree), F major (on the 5th degree), A♭ major (on the 3rd degree) and B♭ major (on the 2nd degree), and C minor (1st), D minor (7th), F minor (5th), G minor (4th) and A minor (3rd).

Of those, C major, D minor and A minor are keys guitarists play in constantly, because their open strings ring with the scale, so Csus4 turns up often in songs.

Open strings and capo options for Csus4

One open string is part of Csus4: the G string (the fifth). None of them is the root, so they colour a voicing rather than anchor it.

A sus chord is a pause before major or minor: Csus4 keeps the root and fifth and moves the third, so its closest chords share the same root.

Csus4 triad FAQs

What notes are in a C sus4 triad?

C, F and G. The formula is 1 4 5.

What is the first inversion of Csus4?

F, G and C, with F in the bass. On the G, B and high e strings it sits at fret 10, fret 8 and fret 8.

Is Csus4 major or minor?

Neither. It has no third: the fourth, F, takes its place, which is why it sounds open and unresolved.

Learn more

How to use guitar triads explains inversions and how to use them in rhythm parts and solos, and triads on all string sets goes through each set in turn. The triad library has every chord.