How do you play the C sus4(b5)/E chord?

To play the C sus4(b5)/E chord on piano, play the C sus4(b5) chord (C, F and F#) with E as the lowest bass note. Place the E note below the other chord tones. Slash chords specify a particular bass note different from the chord root.

What is a slash chord?

A slash chord (or compound chord) is written as Chord/Bass and specifies both a chord and a bass note. The note to the right of the slash is played as the lowest note. The C sus4(b5)/E chord means a C sus4(b5) chord with E in the bass.

C sus4(b5)/E

Q: What notes are in the C sus4(b5)/E chord?

The C sus4(b5)/E chord uses the 3 notes of the C sus4(b5) chord — C (Perfect unison), F (Perfect fourth) and F# (Diminished fifth) — with E played as the bass note in the lowest register.

The C sus4(b5) chord consists of the C (Perfect unison), F (Perfect fourth) and F# (Diminished fifth) notes, with E as the bass note.

Piano keyboard showing the notes for a C sus4(b5)/E chord

How to play the C sus4(b5)/E chord

Play E as the lowest bass note in the left hand
Find C (Root) on the piano keyboard
Add F (Perfect fourth) — 5 semitones above C
Add F# (Diminished fifth) — 6 semitones above C
Press all 4 notes simultaneously to sound the C sus4(b5)/E chord

Related slash chords

F# maj7(b5)(sus)/E