C♯7sus4
C♯ 7th Suspended 4th
1 4 5 ♭7

Notes in C♯7sus4

C♯R
F♯4
A♭5
B♭7

The C♯7sus4 chord contains 4 notes: C♯, F♯, A♭, B

Intervals

IntervalSemitonesNoteFunction
R0C♯Root
45F♯Perfect 4th
57A♭Perfect 5th
♭710BMinor 7th

About C♯ 7th Suspended 4th Chords

7sus4 chords combine the suspended 4th sound with a dominant 7th. They create a tension that can resolve either to a dominant 7th or a major chord. Common in gospel, soul, and contemporary worship music, they add movement and anticipation.

Compatible Scales & Modes

These scales contain all the notes of C♯7sus4 and can be used for soloing, improvising, and writing melodies over this chord.

C♯ Mixolydian
The 4th and ♭7 both live in Mixolydian. Perfect fit.
C♯ Dorian
Also works — the 4th and ♭7 are present, with a minor-leaning color.

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Playing C# seventh sus4 on Guitar

The C# seventh sus4 chord, spelled C♯, F♯, A♭, B, occupies a specific harmonic role that depends on the musical context. In the key of Db major enharmonically, this chord can function as a primary harmony or as a passing color depending on where it appears in the progression. Understanding which scale degrees produce C#-rooted chords helps you predict chord progressions and improvise melodies that complement the harmony.

On guitar, C# seventh sus4 voicings benefit from fourth-fret barre shapes that provide a bright, cutting tone. The physical shape of this chord on the fretboard determines its tonal character — the same notes arranged in different voicings produce noticeably different sounds due to string gauge, fret position, and overtone content. Experiment with playing C# seventh sus4 in multiple positions to find the voicing that best fits the register and texture of the music you are working on.

C#7sus4 combines two tensions — the suspended fourth pulling toward the third and the minor seventh pulling toward resolution a fifth below. This dual tension makes C#7sus4 an ideal setup chord before the final resolution in a cadence.

When practicing C# seventh sus4, use the compatible scales listed above to improvise melodies and riffs. Start by playing the chord, then explore the scale tones one at a time to hear how each note sounds against the harmony. This ear training exercise connects your theoretical knowledge of C#-rooted chords to practical musicianship skills that improve your playing across all genres and styles.