Csus2 Chord on Guitar (C suspended second)
Csus2 is a suspended second chord with a open, airy and neither happy nor sad sound. It contains the notes C – D – G (root + major second + perfect fifth). Below you will find 3 ways to play it on guitar.
How to play Csus2
Position 1: x 3 5 5 3 3
- low E: don't play
- A: fret 3
- D: fret 5
- G: fret 5
- B: fret 3
- high E: fret 3
Position 2: 8 10 12 12 8 8
- low E: fret 8
- A: fret 10
- D: fret 12
- G: fret 12
- B: fret 8
- high E: fret 8
Position 3: x x 10 12 13 10
- low E: don't play
- A: don't play
- D: fret 10
- G: fret 12
- B: fret 13
- high E: fret 10
This chord has no easy open shape, so it is usually played as a barre chord. Press the barre with the side of your index finger, keep your thumb behind the neck, and check each string one by one until all of them ring clearly.
Chord theory
In a suspended second chord, the third is replaced by the second. Without a third the chord is neither major nor minor, which gives it an open, unresolved sound.
Degrees: 1 = C, 2 = D, 5 = G
Using Csus2 in songs
Sus2 chords are popular in pop and rock as a colour change: play the regular chord, then lift or add a finger to get the sus2, and go back again.