suspended second chord
C, D and G
- Root
- C
- Major second
- D
- Perfect fifth
- G
Formula
1 2 5 (2, 7 half steps above C)
Fingering in root position
| Notes | C | D | G |
|---|---|---|---|
| Right hand | 1 | 2 | 5 |
| Left hand | 5 | 4 | 1 |
Csus2 inversions
Csus2 has 2 inversions. Each one keeps the same notes and puts a different one at the bottom, so your hand can stay close to the chord before or after it.
Csus2
Root position
| Notes | C | D | G |
|---|---|---|---|
| Right hand | 1 | 2 | 5 |
| Left hand | 5 | 4 | 1 |
Csus2/D
First inversion
| Notes | D | G | C |
|---|---|---|---|
| Right hand | 1 | 3 | 5 |
| Left hand | 5 | 3 | 1 |
Csus2/G
Second inversion
| Notes | G | C | D |
|---|---|---|---|
| Right hand | 1 | 4 | 5 |
| Left hand | 5 | 2 | 1 |
Where Csus2 fits
Csus2 has no third, so it is neither major nor minor. All of its notes are in C major, G major, F major, B♭ major and E♭ major, so it fits naturally in those keys.
How Csus2 is built
C is the root, D the major second and G the perfect fifth.
A sus2 chord swaps the third for the second, 2 half steps above the root, so it is neither major nor minor and sounds open. Csus2 uses the same keys as Gsus4.
Every chord takes every other letter of the alphabet, so the letters of Csus2 are C, D, G. That is why it is spelled C, D and G.
Find Csus2 yourself
Without looking at the diagrams, find the chord on the keyboard, then each inversion. Saying the notes out loud as you tap them helps them stick.
Step 1 of 3
Tap the notes of Csus2, in any octave and any order.
Practice Csus2 in real music
MasterPiano gives you new music to read at your level and listens as you play, through a MIDI keyboard or your device's microphone, marking each note right or wrong.
Start freeQuestions
What notes are in the Csus2 chord?
Csus2 has three notes: C, D and G. C is the root, D the major second and G the perfect fifth.
What fingers do you use for Csus2 on piano?
In root position, play C, D and G with right hand fingers 1, 2 and 5 (thumb, index finger and little finger) and left hand fingers 5, 4 and 1. The fingers change a little in each inversion; every inversion on this page shows its own.
What are the inversions of Csus2?
Csus2 has 2 inversions, one for each note other than the root at the bottom. First inversion (Csus2/D): D, G and C. Second inversion (Csus2/G): G, C and D.
What is a suspended second chord?
A sus2 chord swaps the third for the second, 2 half steps above the root, so it is neither major nor minor and sounds open. Csus2 uses the same keys as Gsus4. All the notes of Csus2 are in C major, G major, F major and B♭ major.