CifraLab

Csus2 Guitar Chord

Csus2 guitar chord: see the fingering, compare positions, and hear it before you play.

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Shape 1/2
Chord shapes:(2 positions)
Csus2Guitar fingering diagram for Csus21234×134STRING6ª×5ªC4ªD3ªG2ªD1ªG
View HD sheet

What sets Csus2 apart

Csus2 is built from C, D and G. C is the root, D the second and G the fifth.

String by string, low to high, it plays C, D, G, D and G. D appears twice in the main shape, and it is the chord's second. It runs from C on string 5 up to G on string 1.

The open strings add notes to Csus2 too. String 4 gives D and string 3 gives G. Avoid string 6. Every finger presses at fret 3. There is one more position, starting at fret 3.

Cadd9 is very close. You only move strings 4 and 1. Csus2 and G have D and G in common. Moving to Dm, you keep one finger down.

Csus2 shows up in ten keys. In C major it is the Isus2, in F major the Vsus2 and in G major the IVsus2. The rest appear in the key list.

Chord Progressions

Explore recommended harmonic circles on CifraLab:

01C C - Am - Dm - G702Em Em - C - Am - B7
Music Theory & Formula

Component notes and harmonic structure (Csus2)

Formula: Suspended Second (1 - 2 - 5)
Constituent chord intervals:

C 1D 2G 5

Root Bass (Fundamental String)5th String (A) • Fret 3 (C)

String Control (Muted & Active)5 / 6 • 1 X Muted

2 Fretboard Positions

Other fretboard positions for Csus2:

01

Open 2

Standard Position
5 / 6 stringsRoot: 5th String (A)
String Control (Muted & Active):
6th String (Low E)
×Muted
Do not play
Root
5th String (A)
Fret 3Finger 1
CDegree 1
4th String (D)
○Open
DDegree 2
3rd String (G)
○Open
GDegree 5
2nd String (B)
Fret 3Finger 3
DDegree 2
1st String (High E)
Fret 3Finger 4
GDegree 5

Placement tip: Press: 5th String (A) at fret 3 with your Index finger, 2nd String (B) at fret 3 with your Ring finger, 1st String (High E) at fret 3 with your Pinky finger. Play open: 4th String (D), 3rd String (G). Don't play: 6th String (Low E).

02

Barre 3

Barre fret 3
5 / 6 stringsRoot: 5th String (A)
String Control (Muted & Active):
6th String (Low E)
×Muted
Do not play
Root
5th String (A)
Fret 3Barre
CDegree 1
4th String (D)
Fret 5
GDegree 5
3rd String (G)
Fret 5
CDegree 1
2nd String (B)
Fret 3Barre
DDegree 2
1st String (High E)
Fret 3Barre
GDegree 5

Placement tip: Barre fret 3. Press: 4th String (D) at fret 5, 3rd String (G) at fret 5. Don't play: 6th String (Low E).

Biomechanics & Posture

Ergonomic tips to play without tension or fatigue (Csus2)

Standard Position

The shape in numbers

ItemIn this chord
Fretsfret 3
Fretting fingers3
Open4th and 3rd
Muted6th

What to check

The open 4th and 3rd strings sit next to a fretting finger.

What every chord shares is in the fingering reading.

Transitions & Pivot Fingers

Most common chord transitions from Csus2

Listen: Csus2 → Dm · F · Em

  1. Csus2
  2. Dm
  3. Csus2
  4. F
  5. Csus2
  6. Em
Csus2 → Dm01
Pivot / Anchor Finger:1 finger stays
Stay in place
  • finger 3: string 2, fret 3
Move
  • finger 2: string 3, fret 2
  • finger 1: string 1, fret 1
Csus2 → F02
Pivot / Anchor Finger:1 shared position
Stay in place
  • string 5, fret 3
Move
  • string 6, fret 1
  • string 4, fret 3
  • string 3, fret 2
  • string 2, fret 1
  • string 1, fret 1
Csus2 → Em03
Pivot / Anchor Finger:Full shape change

No finger is shared: place the bass on string 5 first, then the rest of the shape.

Move
  • finger 1: string 5, fret 2
  • finger 2: string 4, fret 2

Csus2 in every key

Csus2 sits in the scale of 10 keys.

Main shape at a glance

Difficulty
1/5
Highest fret
3
Frets the hand covers
1
Barre
No
Strings that ring
5/6
Fretting fingers
3

Csus2 on other instruments

PianoThe same notes on the keyboard.All togetherHear guitar, piano, bass and violin together.
Frequently asked questions

Frequently asked questions about the chord (Csus2)

The questions that come up most when playing this chord

Which strings are played and which are muted in the Csus2 chord?

To play the Csus2 chord on guitar, only 5 strings are played, from string 5 to string 1. Muted strings must be gently dampened with the fleshy side of a fretting finger to prevent dissonance.

What is the root bass note of the Csus2 chord and on which string is it located?

The primary bass note of the Csus2 chord is its root note: C. In standard guitar tuning (EADGBe), this bass note is located on string 5 at fret 3.

When strumming or fingerpicking, strike this string first.

What notes make up the Csus2 chord and what is its formula?

The Csus2 chord is constructed using the 1 - 2 - 5 formula (Suspended Second). Its constituent pitches are C, D, G.

How do you prevent the Csus2 chord from buzzing or sounding muted?

To prevent the Csus2 chord from buzzing or sounding muted, press the strings using the tips of your fingers at a strict 90-degree hammer angle. Position each finger immediately behind the fret wire with your thumb centered behind the neck.

Study sheet · High resolution

Official Csus2 chord diagram

Csus2 guitar chord diagram with fingering for fingers 1 to 4
Download HD sheet

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Other chords in the C family:

Chord C Chord C#m Chord Cm Chord C7 Chord Cmaj7 Chord C#m7 Chord Cm7 Chord Csus4