Also written Csus2 or C
C suspended 2nd is built from C, D, and G. The open shape with one muted string is a beginner-friendly voicing.
The same three notes, with a different one in the bass.
C suspended 2nd uses the formula 1, 2, 5, replacing the third with a major second. The interval between C and D creates the suspended quality. Contrast it with C major, which contains E instead of D.
C suspended 2nd works as a substitute for C major in the I–IV–V–I progression C–F–G–C. It suits folk, pop, and ballads where the third is left open.
The open C suspended 2nd shape puts C in the bass for a grounded sound; the Csus2/D inversion at fret 10 puts D in the bass for a floating feel.
C suspended 2nd is played in open position as × 3 0 0: index finger on the A string at fret 3. The D and G strings ring open. The E string stays muted.
Tip — Muting the E string while fretting the A string at fret 3 requires a light thumb touch.
| String | Fret | Finger | Note |
|---|---|---|---|
| 4 (E) | muted | — | — |
| 3 (A) | 3 | 1 | C (1) |
| 2 (D) | open | — | D (2) |
| 1 (G) | open | — | G (5) |
C suspended 2nd is played at the 10th fret as 10 10 10 12: barre your index finger across fret 10 and pinky finger on the G string at fret 12.
| String | Fret | Finger | Note |
|---|---|---|---|
| 4 (E) | 10 | 1 (barre) | D (2) |
| 3 (A) | 10 | 1 (barre) | G (5) |
| 2 (D) | 10 | 1 (barre) | C (1) |
| 1 (G) | 12 | 4 | G (5) |
C suspended 2nd is played in open position as 3 3 0 0: index finger on the E string at fret 3 and middle finger on the A string at fret 3. The D and G strings ring open.
| String | Fret | Finger | Note |
|---|---|---|---|
| 4 (E) | 3 | 1 | G (5) |
| 3 (A) | 3 | 2 | C (1) |
| 2 (D) | open | — | D (2) |
| 1 (G) | open | — | G (5) |
C suspended 2nd is played at the 3rd fret as 3 5 5 5: index finger on the E string at fret 3, middle finger on the A string at fret 5, ring finger on the D string at fret 5 and pinky finger on the G string at fret 5.
| String | Fret | Finger | Note |
|---|---|---|---|
| 4 (E) | 3 | 1 | G (5) |
| 3 (A) | 5 | 2 | D (2) |
| 2 (D) | 5 | 3 | G (5) |
| 1 (G) | 5 | 4 | C (1) |
C suspended 2nd is written as C or Csus2. The root is C, and there are no alternate symbols or enharmonic names.
C suspended 2nd omits the third entirely, leaving C, D, and G. C add 9 includes the major third E along with the ninth D.
The open E string is muted because E is not a chord tone of C suspended 2nd. Muting it keeps the voicing clean.