C7sus4 Piano Chord

Piano Diagram of C7sus4 in Root Position

The C7sus4 chord is made up of four notes, namely C, F, G, and Bb. This chord is known as a suspended second chord since the third note in the chord is substituted with a perfect fourth which creates a sense of suspension. To play the C7sus4 chord on a piano, you simply need to replace the third note (E) of a C7 chord with the fourth note (F) from its root. Keep reading to get a better understanding of the music theory principles behind this chord.

 

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Fingers Position

 

C7sus4 Chord Inversions

 

The C7sus4 chord has a total of 3 inversions:

 Piano Keyboard Diagrams

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Music Theory and Harmony of C7sus4

 

What are Suspended  Chords?

Suspended chords are a type of chord in which the third note is replaced by either a major second or a perfect fourth. These resulting chords are called suspended second (sus2) or suspended fourth (sus4) chords, respectively. These chords create a unique and sometimes unresolved sound that can add tension and interest to a musical composition.

Suspended chords have a distinct sound that sets them apart from major and minor chords. They are called suspended chords because they temporarily suspend the listener’s expectation of hearing a major or minor stable chord. Instead, they feature a perfect fourth or major second interval in place of the third. Due to their “neutral nature,” suspended chords can sometimes be used as substitutes for both major and minor chords.

The 7sus4 chord is a more intricate and richer version of sus4 chords, thanks to the inclusion of an extra minor 7th note. This additional note makes 7sus4 chords a more suitable choice for dominant and minor 7th chords.

 

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Building the C7sus4 Chord: Different Approaches

Starting from the C major Scale

To build a 7sus4 chord, you can use the major scale as a guide and combine a root note, a perfect 4th, a perfect 5th, and a minor 7th interval.

 

 

To create a C7sus4 chord, apply the formula R, 4, 5, m7 in the following manner:

1. Begin with the Root note, C.
2. Select the 4th interval, F.
3. Add the 5th note, G.
4. Finally, add the minor 7th interval, which is Bb.

By following this simple formula, you can create a 7sus4 chord from any major scale.

 

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by Combining Intervals

One method to create a dominant suspended 4th chord is by combining three specific intervals – a perfect 4th, a major 2nd, and a minor 3rd.

4 + 2 + m3 = 7sus4 Chords

To illustrate, let’s use the C7sus4 chord as an example. By examining the intervals between the notes, we can see that C-F forms a perfect 4th interval, F-G creates a major second interval, and the interval between G and Bb is a minor 3rd.

 

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How to Use C7sus4 in a Chord Progression

 

Suspended chords have a unique quality that sets them apart from major and minor chords. They are considered neither major nor minor, which makes them a great tool for creating tension and suspense in a musical composition before resolving to a stable major or minor chord.

To incorporate a C7sus4 into a chord progression, you can refer to the following tables, which outline the most common positions where the chord can be found or utilized. However, it’s crucial to understand that, since this chord contains a minor 7th, it isn’t compatible with Maj7 chords, unlike sus2 or sus4 chords. Nevertheless, it can be used on dominant chords and on all positions where a Cm7 is present.

C7sus4 as Substitute of C7

C7sus4 can be used as a substitute for C7 in major and minor keys. In F major, C7 can be replaced with C7sus4 in the V position. Similarly, in the D minor key, C7 can be substituted with C7sus4 in the VII position which is the leading tone chord.

 

on Major Scales

• Dominant chord in F Major

 

on Natural minor Scales

• Leading tone chord in D minor

 

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C7sus4 as Substitute of C min7

C7sus4 chord can be used as a substitute for C minor 7th in various major and minor keys:

 

on Major Scales

• Supertonic chord in Bb Major
• Mediant chord in Ab Major
• Submediant chord in Eb Major

 

on Natural minor Scales

• Tonic chord in C minor
• Subdominant chord in G minor
• Dominant chord in F minor

 

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C7sus4 Chord Function in Major and Minor Keys

Understanding Scale Degrees

When creating chords from a scale, each note in the scale is assigned a degree, which reflects its position in the scale. In the diatonic major scale, there are seven degrees, and each degree has a unique role in the overall harmony of the scale.

1. The first degree of the scale is called the Tonic, and it serves as the foundation for the scale. It provides a stable tonal center and is often referred to as the “home base” of the music.
2. The second degree of the scale is called the Supertonic. It’s typically used as a passing note between the tonic and other scale degrees, and it adds a sense of movement to the melody or harmony.
3. The third degree of the scale is called the Mediant. It’s located halfway between the tonic and dominant notes and helps to establish whether the scale is major or minor.
4. The fourth degree of the scale is called the Subdominant. It’s often used as a complementary harmony to the dominant and adds a sense of tension and resolution to the music.
5. The fifth degree of the scale is called the Dominant. It generates tension and a sense of expectation, and it’s typically resolved by returning to the tonic.
6. The sixth degree of the scale is called the Submediant. It’s often utilized as a transition between the dominant and tonic, and it provides a sense of stability and restfulness to the music.
7. The seventh degree of the scale is called the Leading tone. It’s located one half step below the tonic and produces a strong sense of tension and a desire to resolve to the tonic. It’s often used to create a sense of resolution and finality in the melody or harmony.

 

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C7sus4 in F Major

In the key of F Major, the fifth degree is C7. However, by playing a C7sus4 chord instead, you can create a sense of tension and expectation, which can then be resolved by returning to the dominant chord or to another degree of the scale.

 

C7sus4 as V degree – Chord Progressions

ii V I

You can experiment with different ways of playing the C7sus4 chord in the key of F Major. For example, you could play just the C7sus4 chord, or split the measure in half and play both the C7sus4 and C7 chords. Another option is to invert the order of the chords, playing the C7 chord first and then resolving to the C7sus4 chord.

I IV V

 

 I V vi IV

 

I IV vi V

 

 I IV ii V iii vi ii V

 

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C7sus4 in D Minor Key

In the key of D minor, the seventh degree features a C7 chord. Adding a C7sus4 chord can create a sense of anticipation and tension, preparing the listener for the resolution to the tonic chord. You can experiment with playing just the C7sus4 chord or combining it with the C7 chord.

 

C7sus4 as VII degree – Chord Progressions

i VI VII

 

i v VI VII

 

i III VII VI

 

Circle Progression

 

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C7sus4 in Bb Major Key

In the context of Bb Major key, the second chord in the key is typically a C minor chord. However, incorporating a C7sus4 chord instead of Cm can add some variation and tonal interest to a chord progression.

 

C7sus4 Chord Progressions as ii degree

ii V I

 

I IV ii V iii vi ii V

 

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C7sus4 in Ab Major Key

When playing in the key of Ab Major, the C7sus4 chord can be used as a chord substitution for the diatonic C minor chord that normally appears on the III degree of the scale.

 

C7sus4 Chord Progressions as iii degree

I iii IV V

 

I iii ii V

 

I iii vi IV

 

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C7sus4 in Eb Major Key

In the key of Eb Major, the C7sus4 chord can function as a submediant chord, which means it’s a chord built on the sixth degree of the scale. It can add variety and interest to a chord progression that already includes a Cm chord on the sixth degree.

 

C7sus4 as vi degree – Chord Progressions

I iii vi V

 

I vi ii V

 

I IV ii V iii vi ii V

 

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C7sus4 in C Minor Key

When using the C7sus4 chord in the key of C minor, it can serve as a variation of the traditional Cm chord.

 

C7sus4 Chord Progressions as i degree

i VI VII

i iv VI VII

 

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C7sus4 in G Minor Key

When playing in the key of G minor, you can try using the C7sus4 chord as a substitution or variation for the C major chord on the IV degree.

 

C7sus4 Chord Progressions as iv degree

iv III VI VII

 

i iv VI v

 

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C7sus4 in F Minor Key

In the key of F minor, the C7sus4 chord can function as a substitution or variation for the fifth chord, adding a unique tonal color to the progression. Pairing it with the C7 chord on the fifth degree can create a sense of tension and expectation for the resolution to the tonic chord or another chord of the scale.

 

C7sus4 as v degree – Chord Progressions

i iv VI v

 

i v VI VII

 

i VI v iv

 

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Alternative Names for C7sus4 Chord

• C7sus4
• C7sus(4)
• C7 add4(no3)
• C7 add4(omit3)
• C Dominant Suspended 4th

 

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