C suspended second chord (Csus2)
The C suspended second chord (Csus2) is a suspended chord: C, D and G (root, major second and perfect fifth). It has no third, so it is neither major nor minor.
It is the Isus2 in C major and the IVsus2 in G major, and it usually resolves to the major or minor chord on the same root.
Below: voicings, notes on the fretboard, ukulele, piano, inversions and progressions.
How to play C suspended second on guitar
There are 2 guitar voicings.
Frets from the 6th string to the 1st: x = not played, 0 = open string.
- Voicing 1: x-3-0-0-3-3, open position, with C in the bass (fingers x-2-0-0-3-4).
- Voicing 2: x-3-5-5-3-3, movable A-shape barre chord at fret 3, with C in the bass.
Notes of the C suspended second chord on the fretboard
C suspended second has 3 notes: C, D and G. This is where they fall on each string, from the nut to the 12th fret (fret number in parentheses):
- String 6 (E): G (3) · C (8) · D (10)
- String 5 (A): C (3) · D (5) · G (10)
- String 4 (D): D (0) · G (5) · C (10) · D (12)
- String 3 (G): G (0) · C (5) · D (7) · G (12)
- String 2 (B): C (1) · D (3) · G (8)
- String 1 (E): G (3) · C (8) · D (10)
Formula and intervals of C suspended second
Its formula is 1-2-5; in semitones from the root, 0-2-7.
- C: Root, the note that gives the chord its name
- D: Major second (M2), 2 semitones above C
- G: Perfect fifth (P5), 7 semitones above C
C suspended second on ukulele
- Ukulele (G C E A): 0-2-3-3; it sounds G, D, G and C.
C suspended second on piano
- Keys: C4, D4 and G4.
Inversions of C suspended second
Each inversion puts a different note in the bass.
- Root position: C, D and G, with C in the bass.
- First inversion (Csus2/D): D, G and C, with D in the bass.
- Second inversion (Csus2/G): G, C and D, with G in the bass.
Keys that use C suspended second
C suspended second appears in 10 major and minor keys.
| Key | Degree | Function |
|---|---|---|
| C major (no sharps or flats) | Isus2 | Tonic |
| B♭ major (2 flats) | IIsus2 | Supertonic |
| G major (1 sharp) | IVsus2 | Subdominant |
| F major (1 flat) | Vsus2 | Dominant |
| E♭ major (3 flats) | VIsus2 | Submediant |
| C minor (3 flats) | Isus2 | Tonic |
| A minor (no sharps or flats) | IIIsus2 | Mediant |
| G minor (2 flats) | IVsus2 | Subdominant |
| E minor (1 sharp) | VIsus2 | Submediant |
| D minor (1 flat) | VIIsus2 | Subtonic |
Progressions with C suspended second
- Sus2 resolution in C major (Isus2–I): Csus2 – C
Frequently asked questions
What notes are in the C suspended second chord?
C, D and G: root, major second and perfect fifth. Its formula is 1-2-5.
Which keys use C suspended second?
Mainly as the Isus2 in C major and the IVsus2 in G major. In total it appears in 10 major and minor keys.
What does “sus” mean in C suspended second?
That the chord is suspended: the third is replaced by another note, leaving C, D and G (root, major second and perfect fifth). Without a third, it can move to either the major or the minor triad on the same root.