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Chord & Fret

C9sus4 — dominant ninth suspended fourth

Notes in C9sus4: C – F – G – Bb – DFormula: 1 – 4 – 5 – b7 – 9

In the formula, the numbers count steps of the major scale starting from the note that names the chord; "b" lowers a half step, "#" raises one — and a slash names the bass note.

The 7sus4 with the ninth on top. It is a two-storey chord: a minor triad sitting on a different bass — Gm7Gm7Gm7Gm7 over C — which is why it sounds modern and floating.

The same chord on all four instruments

C9sus4, x 3 3 3 3 3C9sus411111×CFA#DG
Guitar
C9sus4, x 3 3 3 3 3C9sus411111×CFA#DG
Electric guitar
C9sus4, 3 3 1 0C9sus4231FA#CD
Cavaquinho
C9sus4, 3 2 1 3C9sus43214A#DFC
Ukulele

Where to use it: Neo-soul, gospel and bossa vamps; ideal for holding a section without resolving.

The shapes of C9sus4 don't end on this page — the whole neck holds dozens. In Chord & Fret, you hear every shape strummed string by string, in each instrument's own voice; compare positions with their difficulty marked; and set a capo — the diagrams redraw above it. Start free. Unlock everything with Pro. Plays offline.

See the whole neck in Chord & Fret →

Part of the Suspended family.

Other chords in this family

Csus2Csus4Csus2sus4C7sus4C7sus2

See all chord types and qualities →