Also written F♯sus2 or F♯
F♯ suspended 2nd contains F♯, G♯, and C♯. The default voicing places G♯ in the bass, giving the chord a bright, second-inversion lift.
The same three notes, with a different one in the bass.
F♯ suspended 2nd is built from the formula 1, 2, 5. The Major 2nd between F♯ and G♯ replaces the third, creating an open, unresolved quality. Compare with F♯ major, which uses a Major 3rd instead.
F♯ suspended 2nd works as a passing chord in F♯ major, especially in the I–IV–V–I progression: F♯ major–B major–C♯ major–F♯ major. Its open sound suits rock, metal, and progressive bass lines.
The 4th-fret voicing puts G♯ in the bass, which is useful when the chord needs to lead to C♯. The 9th-fret voicing puts C♯ in the bass and is easier to reach in mid-neck positions.
F♯ suspended 2nd is played at the 4th fret as 4 4 4 6: barre your index finger across fret 4 and pinky finger on the G string at fret 6.
Tip — The index barre must hold three strings at the 4th fret while the pinky stretches to the 6th fret on the G string.
| String | Fret | Finger | Note |
|---|---|---|---|
| 4 (E) | 4 | 1 (barre) | G♯ (2) |
| 3 (A) | 4 | 1 (barre) | C♯ (5) |
| 2 (D) | 4 | 1 (barre) | F♯ (1) |
| 1 (G) | 6 | 4 | C♯ (5) |
F♯ suspended 2nd is played at the 9th fret as 9 11 11 11: index finger on the E string at fret 9, middle finger on the A string at fret 11, ring finger on the D string at fret 11 and pinky finger on the G string at fret 11.
| String | Fret | Finger | Note |
|---|---|---|---|
| 4 (E) | 9 | 1 | C♯ (5) |
| 3 (A) | 11 | 2 | G♯ (2) |
| 2 (D) | 11 | 3 | C♯ (5) |
| 1 (G) | 11 | 4 | F♯ (1) |
F♯ suspended 2nd is written as F♯sus2 or F♯. On a keyboard, type F# because the ♯ symbol is not available. It is also spelled G♭ in enharmonic notation for the same sounding root.
F♯ suspended 2nd replaces the third with a Major 2nd (G♯), while F♯ suspended 4th replaces it with a Perfect 4th (B). The sus2 sounds brighter and more open; the sus4 has a stronger pull to resolve.
F♯ suspended 2nd omits the third entirely, leaving F♯, G♯, and C♯. F♯ add 9 includes the major third (A♯) along with the ninth (G♯), so it has a fuller, more consonant sound.