F suspended second chord (Fsus2)
The F suspended second chord (Fsus2) is a suspended chord: F, G and C (root, major second and perfect fifth). It has no third, so it is neither major nor minor.
It is the Isus2 in F major and the IVsus2 in C 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 F 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-x-3-0-1-1, barre at fret 1, with F in the bass (fingers x-x-3-0-1-1).
- Voicing 2: x-8-10-10-8-8, movable A-shape barre chord at fret 8, with F in the bass.
Notes of the F suspended second chord on the fretboard
F suspended second has 3 notes: F, G and C. This is where they fall on each string, from the nut to the 12th fret (fret number in parentheses):
- String 6 (E): F (1) · G (3) · C (8)
- String 5 (A): C (3) · F (8) · G (10)
- String 4 (D): F (3) · G (5) · C (10)
- String 3 (G): G (0) · C (5) · F (10) · G (12)
- String 2 (B): C (1) · F (6) · G (8)
- String 1 (E): F (1) · G (3) · C (8)
Formula and intervals of F suspended second
Its formula is 1-2-5; in semitones from the root, 0-2-7.
- F: Root, the note that gives the chord its name
- G: Major second (M2), 2 semitones above F
- C: Perfect fifth (P5), 7 semitones above F
F suspended second on ukulele
- Ukulele (G C E A): 0-0-1-3; it sounds G, C, F and C.
F suspended second on piano
- Keys: F4, G4 and C5.
Inversions of F suspended second
Each inversion puts a different note in the bass.
- Root position: F, G and C, with F in the bass.
- First inversion (Fsus2/G): G, C and F, with G in the bass.
- Second inversion (Fsus2/C): C, F and G, with C in the bass.
Keys that use F suspended second
F suspended second appears in 10 major and minor keys.
| Key | Degree | Function |
|---|---|---|
| F major (1 flat) | Isus2 | Tonic |
| E♭ major (3 flats) | IIsus2 | Supertonic |
| C major (no sharps or flats) | IVsus2 | Subdominant |
| B♭ major (2 flats) | Vsus2 | Dominant |
| A♭ major (4 flats) | VIsus2 | Submediant |
| F minor (4 flats) | Isus2 | Tonic |
| D minor (1 flat) | IIIsus2 | Mediant |
| C minor (3 flats) | IVsus2 | Subdominant |
| A minor (no sharps or flats) | VIsus2 | Submediant |
| G minor (2 flats) | VIIsus2 | Subtonic |
Progressions with F suspended second
- Sus2 resolution in F major (Isus2–I): Fsus2 – F
Frequently asked questions
What notes are in the F suspended second chord?
F, G and C: root, major second and perfect fifth. Its formula is 1-2-5.
Which keys use F suspended second?
Mainly as the Isus2 in F major and the IVsus2 in C major. In total it appears in 10 major and minor keys.
What does “sus” mean in F suspended second?
That the chord is suspended: the third is replaced by another note, leaving F, G and C (root, major second and perfect fifth). Without a third, it can move to either the major or the minor triad on the same root.