C7sus4/B♭ guitar shapes

Popular fretboard positions with fingering suggestions

Showing 8 of 102 playable shapes

About the chord

C dominant 7th suspended 4th / B♭ (3rd inversion)

C7sus4/B♭ is the C dominant 7th suspended 4th / B♭ (3rd inversion) guitar chord with B♭ in the bass. It uses the notes C, F, G, and B♭ and the interval formula 1-4-5-♭7.

The C dominant 7th suspended 4th dominant 7th suspended 4th chord replaces the third with a perfect fourth F, creating a suspended, unresolved tension. The combination of the fourth F, fifth G, and minor seventh B♭ generates a powerful, dramatic sound often used in blues, rock, and jazz for dynamic resolutions. With B♭ in the bass, this voicing functions as the 3rd inversion of C dominant 7th suspended 4th.

Also written as C7sus4.

Root note: C

Bass note: B♭

Chord tones: 4

Playable shapes: 102

Chord tones

CFGB♭

Common guitar voicings

These are quick-start shapes for players who want the answer first and the deeper theory second.

Shape 1

x13011

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1 Place the 1st finger on the 1st fret of the 5th string.
2 Place the 2nd finger on the 1st fret of the 1st string and 2nd string in barre position.
3 Place the 3rd finger on the 3rd fret of the 4th string.
4 Strum from the 5th string down.

Shape 2

x13311

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1 Place the 1st finger on the 1st fret of the 1st string, 2nd string, and 5th string in barre position.
2 Place the 3rd finger on the 3rd fret of the 4th string.
3 Place the 4th finger on the 3rd fret of the 3rd string.
4 Strum from the 5th string down.

Notes & Intervals

Each note below shows how the chord is built from its root. This is the theory layer underneath the fretboard shapes.

C Unison (Root) 1

The root anchors the chord and defines its tonal center.

F Perfect Fourth 4

The fourth creates suspension and a sense of pull toward resolution.

G Perfect Fifth 5

The fifth reinforces stability and gives the chord its strong harmonic frame.

B♭ Minor Seventh ♭7

The minor seventh adds bluesy or jazzy tension that wants to move onward.

Quick answers

What notes are in C7sus4/B♭?

C7sus4/B♭ uses the notes C, F, G, and B♭. Its interval formula is 1-4-5-♭7.

What is another name for C7sus4/B♭?

C7sus4/B♭ is also written as C7sus4.

How do you play C7sus4/B♭ on guitar?

Place the 1st finger on the 1st fret of the 5th string. Place the 2nd finger on the 1st fret of the 1st string and 2nd string in barre position. Place the 3rd finger on the 3rd fret of the 4th string. Strum from the 5th string down.

Articles that reference this chord and explain how to use it in your playing.

Article Mar 4, 2025