The short version
- Csus2 is C suspended second. Its notes are C, D and G (formula 1 – 2 – 5).
- Easiest way to play it: the open shape, frets x 3 0 0 1 3 from low E to high E (x = don’t play).
- It sounds open, airy, undecided. Use it in place of a major or minor chord when you want space, or rock between the sus2 and the full chord for movement.
- Csus2 turns up in 10 keys: C major (as the Isus2), G major (as the IVsus2), E♭ major (as the VIsus2), B♭ major (as the IIsus2) and F major (as the Vsus2), and more in the table below.
- Try it in: Csus2 – Fsus2 – Am – G, airy indie-pop with a proper landing.
How to play Csus2 on guitar, step by step
Start with the shape marked “Start here” above: the open chord, the easiest way in.
- Put your index finger on fret 1 of the 2nd (B) string.
- Put your middle finger on fret 3 of the 5th (A) string.
- Put your ring finger on fret 3 of the 1st (high E) string.
- Let the D and G strings ring open.
- Don’t play the low E string: skip it, or touch it lightly with a spare finger so it can’t ring.
- Strum from the 5th (A) string down, then press Strum on this page to check it sounds the same.
Once that’s comfy, try the other 2 shapes. Shape 2 is the barre chord, root on the 5th string (3rd fret): x 3 5 5 3 3. Shape 3 is the barre chord, root on the 6th string (8th fret): 8 10 12 12 8 8. Same chord, different spot on the neck, which helps when the next chord lives nearby.
Buzzing? Press just behind the fret wire, not in the middle of the fret, and come down on your fingertips so they don’t touch the next string. Then press Strum and play along: if yours sounds duller, one string is muted somewhere.
Notes in the Csus2 chord
Csus2 is built from 3 notes. On guitar you’ll often play some of them twice, on different strings. That’s normal; the chord is still Csus2.
| Note | Interval | What it does |
|---|---|---|
| C | 1 root | Names the chord and anchors the bass. |
| D | 2 major second | Replaces the third: open and airy. |
| G | 5 perfect fifth | Adds weight; often the first note left out. |
What Csus2 sounds like, and when to use it
The third is swapped for the second, so the chord refuses to pick a side between happy and sad. Open, shimmery and very “indie band intro”. Use it in place of a major or minor chord when you want space, or rock between the sus2 and the full chord for movement.
What key is Csus2 in?
Csus2 turns up in 10 keys: C major (as the Isus2), G major (as the IVsus2), E♭ major (as the VIsus2), B♭ major (as the IIsus2) and F major (as the Vsus2), and more in the table below. Tap a key to see the rest of its chords on the circle of fifths.
| Key | Numeral | Spelled as |
|---|---|---|
| C major | Isus2 | Csus2 |
| G major | IVsus2 | Csus2 |
| E♭ major | VIsus2 | Csus2 |
| B♭ major | IIsus2 | Csus2 |
| F major | Vsus2 | Csus2 |
| A minor | IIIsus2 | Csus2 |
| E minor | VIsus2 | Csus2 |
| C minor | Isus2 | Csus2 |
| G minor | IVsus2 | Csus2 |
| D minor | VIIsus2 | Csus2 |
Chords that go with Csus2
Here’s a progression to try: Csus2 – Fsus2 – Am – G (Isus2–IVsus2–vi–V), airy indie-pop with a proper landing.
More progressions → Transpose it →
Using Csus2 in a Suno prompt
Suno pays attention to chord names in a style prompt, at least some of the time. Put the progression in, keep the BPM, and let it fill in the rest. Then compare its guitar part with the shapes above.
Indie pop, 112 BPM, chord progression Csus2 – Fsus2 – Am – G, shimmering sus2 guitar chords, chorus pedal, airy synth pads, breathy vocals, open and hopeful
Csus2 chord FAQ
What notes are in the Csus2 chord?
Csus2 has 3 notes: C (the root), D (the major second) and G (the perfect fifth). The chord formula is 1 – 2 – 5.
How do you play Csus2 on guitar?
The easy way is open chord. Strings from low E to high E: x 3 0 0 1 3 (x means don’t play that string). Put your index finger on fret 1 of the 2nd (B) string. Put your middle finger on fret 3 of the 5th (A) string. Put your ring finger on fret 3 of the 1st (high E) string. Let the D and G strings ring open. Don’t play the low E string: skip it, or touch it lightly with a spare finger so it can’t ring.
What does the “sus2” in Csus2 mean?
It tells you the chord type: Csus2 is C suspended second. The third is swapped for the second, so the chord refuses to pick a side between happy and sad. Open, shimmery and very “indie band intro”.
What key is Csus2 in?
Csus2 turns up in 10 keys: C major (as the Isus2), G major (as the IVsus2), E♭ major (as the VIsus2), B♭ major (as the IIsus2) and F major (as the Vsus2), and more in the table below. Major keys: C major, G major, E♭ major, B♭ major, F major. Minor keys: A minor, E minor, C minor, G minor, D minor.
What is the difference between Csus2 and Csus4?
Both drop the third. Csus2 replaces it with the second (D), which sounds open and airy. Csus4 uses the fourth (F), which sounds tense and wants to resolve back to C major.
What chords go well with Csus2?
Try C, Fsus2, G and Am. The progression Csus2 – Fsus2 – Am – G (Isus2–IVsus2–vi–V) is airy indie-pop with a proper landing. Press Play progression on this page to hear it.
Other sus2 chords
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