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Chord · Reference entry

C 7sus4

7sus4 · C – F – G – B♭ · intervals P1-P4-P5-m7

The C 7sus4 chord (C7sus4) contains the notes C, F, G, and B♭. Its interval formula is R-P4-P5-m7. A dominant 7th with the 3rd replaced by the 4th — modal and gospel, a softer alternative to V7.

At the keyboard

C · F · G · Bb
Flashcards · Chord
Three questions on C 7sus4
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C7sus4

The C 7sus4 chord is a four-note chord made up of C, F, G, and B♭. It is built from a root, perfect fourth, perfect fifth, and minor seventh.

Construction

C 7sus4 = Root + Perfect 4th + Perfect 5th + Minor 7th = C · F · G · B♭
NoteIntervalDegree
CRoot1
FPerfect 4th11
GPerfect 5th5
B♭Minor 7th♭7

C 7sus4 Inversions

C 7sus4 piano chord, 1st inversion — F, G, B♭, C
The C 7sus4 chord, 1st inversion, on a piano keyboard.
C 7sus4 piano chord, 2nd inversion — G, B♭, C, F
The C 7sus4 chord, 2nd inversion, on a piano keyboard.
C 7sus4 piano chord, 3rd inversion — B♭, C, F, G
The C 7sus4 chord, 3rd inversion, on a piano keyboard.
PositionNotes
Root PositionC – F – G – B♭
1st InversionF – G – B♭ – C
2nd InversionG – B♭ – C – F
3rd InversionB♭ – C – F – G

Key Signature

A chord has no key signature of its own, but the C 7sus4 is the tonic (I) chord of C Major, whose key signature has no sharps or flats.

Chords in the Key of C Major

These are the triads built on each degree of the C major scale:

C1C2C3CEGC5C6C7C8
IC Major (major)
DegreeNumeralChordQuality
1IC MajorMajor
2iiD MinorMinor
3iiiE MinorMinor
4IVF MajorMajor
5VG MajorMajor
6viA MinorMinor
7vii°B DiminishedDiminished

C 7sus4 — Frequently Asked Questions

What is the C 7sus4 chord on piano?
The C 7sus4 chord contains the notes C – F – G – B♭. On piano, play these notes together to sound the chord.
What notes are in the C 7sus4 chord?
The C 7sus4 chord (C7sus4) contains 4 notes: C, F, G, Bb. Formula: R-P4-P5-m7.
How is C7sus4 used in music?
C7sus4 is used in jazz, fusion, and contemporary music to add harmonic color. It appears as a dominant or tonic chord depending on context.
What is the scale degree formula for C7sus4?
C7sus4 uses scale degrees 1-4-5-b7, giving it its distinctive sound.

Related Tools

Chord FinderLook up any chord — see the notes, hear it, and play along.Chord DrillTimed drills to build speed and recognition across all chord types.Practice RoomPlug in a MIDI keyboard and get real-time feedback on every chord and scale.Circle of FifthsVisualize key relationships, relative minors, and key signatures.MIDI MonitorLive MIDI message stream with note names, velocity, and a scrolling staff.

References & Further Reading

The note names, intervals, fingering, and harmony on this chord page are grounded in the following sources. Public domain treatises and scores are linked to their full text; primary data is piano.org's own interval-derived reference dataset — continuously maintained and human-verified, with no fixed publication date.

  1. 1

    Prout, Ebenezer(1889)

    Harmony: Its Theory and Practice

    Public domain treatise
  2. 2

    Goetschius, Percy(1889)

    The Material Used in Musical Composition

    Public domain treatise
  3. 3

    Beethoven, Ludwig van(1799)

    Piano Sonata No. 8 in C minor, Op. 13 ("Pathétique")

    Public domain score
  4. 4

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