Chord

F♯ Suspended 4 Chord

F♯BC♯
View on: Theory PianoGuitarUkuleleMandolin

Interactive keyboard

Highlighted notes form this chord.

Notes

F♯ · B · C♯

Root: F♯

Intervals

1 · 4 · 5

How it is built

This chord starts on F♯ and applies the intervals 1, 4, 5. The result contains 3 distinct pitch classes per octave.

Explore related combinations

Guide and musical context

About F♯ Suspended 4 Chord

F♯ Suspended 4 Chord contains F♯, B, C♯. Its sound is open and expectant because the fourth replaces the third.

Character and sound

Open and expectant because the fourth replaces the third.

Musical context and history

The 4–3 suspension is a historical voice-leading device. In modern chord symbols, sus4 is also used as an independent sonority in pop, rock, folk and acoustic styles.

How and where it is used

It can resolve to the third or remain as a static color in riffs and accompaniment.

In Theory view you can hear the pitch collection without depending on a specific fingering. Then switch to Piano, Guitar, Ukulele or Mandolin to see how the same notes are physically distributed on each instrument.

Harmonic and musical relationships

Compare this chord with other variants sharing the root F♯. Changing a single third, fifth, seventh or extension makes it easy to hear which interval defines the chord’s character.

The formula on this page is 1 · 4 · 5 and, from F♯, produces the notes F♯ · B · C♯.

Frequently asked questions

What notes are in the F♯ Suspended 4 Chord?

The notes are F♯, B, C♯.

What is its interval formula?

The formula is 1 · 4 · 5.

How does it sound and what is it used for?

Open and expectant because the fourth replaces the third. It can resolve to the third or remain as a static color in riffs and accompaniment.

Can I view it on a specific instrument?

Yes. Use the selector near the top to switch between Piano, Guitar, Ukulele and Mandolin without changing the musical combination you are studying.