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Csus2 chord on guitar

Csus2 (C suspended second) is C, D and G. The easiest way to play it is the open Csus2 chord, written x30013. Put your 1st finger (index) on the 2nd string, 1st fret. Put your 3rd finger (ring) on the 5th string, 3rd fret. Put your 4th finger (little) on the 1st string, 3rd fret. Let the 4th and 3rd strings ring open. Don't play the 6th string: strum from the 5th.

Csus2

C suspended second · C D G · 1 2 5

  • Open position

    Open chord

    314CDGCG

    x30013

  • 3rd fret

    Barre chord, root on the 5th string

    3fr13411CGCDG

    x35533

  • 10th fret

    Barre chord, root on the 4th string

    10fr1341CGCD

    x-x-10-12-13-10

Or pick another chord to see and hear it

Root
Chord

Dots show where each finger goes, numbered 1 (index) to 4 (little); the green ones are C, the root.

How to play Csus2

Strings are counted from the thinnest: the 1st is the high E and the 6th the low E. Each shape is written as tab from the 6th string to the 1st, a number for the fret to press, 0 for an open string and x for one not played.

  1. 1. Open chord · Open position

    x30013
    • Put your 1st finger (index) on the 2nd string, 1st fret.
    • Put your 3rd finger (ring) on the 5th string, 3rd fret.
    • Put your 4th finger (little) on the 1st string, 3rd fret.
    • Let the 4th and 3rd strings ring open.
    • Don't play the 6th string: strum from the 5th.

  2. 2. Barre chord, root on the 5th string · 3rd fret

    x35533
    • Lay your 1st finger (index) flat across the 5th to 1st strings at the 3rd fret.
    • Put your 3rd finger (ring) on the 4th string, 5th fret.
    • Put your 4th finger (little) on the 3rd string, 5th fret.
    • Don't play the 6th string: strum from the 5th.

  3. 3. Barre chord, root on the 4th string · 10th fret

    x-x-10-12-13-10
    • Lay your 1st finger (index) flat across the 4th to 1st strings at the 10th fret.
    • Put your 3rd finger (ring) on the 3rd string, 12th fret.
    • Put your 4th finger (little) on the 2nd string, 13th fret.
    • Don't play the 6th and 5th strings: strum from the 4th.

Notes in the Csus2 chord

Csus2 is C, D and G, and it sounds open and airy, neither major nor minor. From C, count 2 half steps up to D and 5 more to G. Its formula is 1 2 5. The shapes above play these notes in different orders and octaves, some more than once, but always with C lowest. See its inversions and keys on the Csus2 piano chord page.

Chords that often come after Csus2

Cx32010Csus2 opens up to C: the second rises to the third.Fxx3211Csus2 to F is I to IV with the same open sound on top.G320003Csus2 to G is I to V, a staple of piano pop.

More guitar chords

Other chords on C

CCmC7Cmaj7Cm7Csus4Cadd9C9C6CdimCm7♭5Cdim7Caug

Suspended second chords on other notes

C♯sus2Dsus2E♭sus2Esus2Fsus2F♯sus2Gsus2A♭sus2Asus2B♭sus2Bsus2

Or see every chord at once on the guitar chord chart.

Frequently asked questions

How do you play Csus2 on guitar?

The easiest way to play it is the open Csus2 chord, written x30013. Put your 1st finger (index) on the 2nd string, 1st fret. Put your 3rd finger (ring) on the 5th string, 3rd fret. Put your 4th finger (little) on the 1st string, 3rd fret. Let the 4th and 3rd strings ring open. Don't play the 6th string: strum from the 5th.

What notes are in the Csus2 chord?

Csus2 is C, D and G. In the shape written x30013, the 5th to 1st strings play C, D, G, C and G.

Is Csus2 a barre chord?

It doesn't have to be: x30013 needs no barre. The barre shapes (x35533, x-x-10-12-13-10) play it higher up the neck and move to any root.

How many ways can you play Csus2 on guitar?

This page shows three: x30013 (open position), x35533 (3rd fret) and x-x-10-12-13-10 (10th fret). Any chord can be played in more places up the neck; these are the ones chord books show first.

Can I make a beat with Csus2?

Yes. “Make a beat in C major” opens the free editor with a lo-fi beat in C major on C G Am F, the key where Csus2 is the Isus2 chord. Then change any part, add a melody and your voice, part by part. No account is needed to start.

Make a beat in C major

Opens the free editor with a lo-fi beat in C major on C G Am F, the key where Csus2 is the Isus2 chord. Then change any part, add a melody and your voice, part by part. No account needed to start.

Make a beat in C majorAll guitar chords

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