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F suspended 2nd chord on bass (Fsus2)
Also called or written Fsus2 or F
F suspended 2nd is built from F, G, and C. The open shape with one fretted note is a beginner-friendly voicing.
How it is built
Formula 1, 2, 5
- Root positionF–G–CFsus21-3-3-0
- First inversionG–C–FFsus2/G3-3-3-0
- Second inversionC–F–GFsus2/C8-10-10-10
How do you play an F suspended 2nd chord on bass?
F suspended 2nd is played in open position as 1 3 3 0: index finger on the E string at fret 1, middle finger on the A string at fret 3 and ring finger on the D string at fret 3. The G string rings open.
Full note and interval breakdown
| String | Fret | Finger | Note |
|---|---|---|---|
| 4 (E) | 1 | 1 | F (1) |
| 3 (A) | 3 | 2 | C (5) |
| 2 (D) | 3 | 3 | F (1) |
| 1 (G) | open | — | G (2) |
BeginnerFretting three strings with separate fingers while leaving the G string open requires a clean arch.
Fsus2/G inversion · open position
F suspended 2nd is played in open position as 3 3 3 0: barre your index finger across fret 3. The G string rings open.
Full note and interval breakdown
| String | Fret | Finger | Note |
|---|---|---|---|
| 4 (E) | 3 | 1 (barre) | G (2) |
| 3 (A) | 3 | 1 (barre) | C (5) |
| 2 (D) | 3 | 1 (barre) | F (1) |
| 1 (G) | open | — | G (2) |
Fsus2/G inversion · fret 3
F suspended 2nd is played at the 3rd fret as 3 3 3 5: barre your index finger across fret 3 and pinky finger on the G string at fret 5.
Full note and interval breakdown
| String | Fret | Finger | Note |
|---|---|---|---|
| 4 (E) | 3 | 1 (barre) | G (2) |
| 3 (A) | 3 | 1 (barre) | C (5) |
| 2 (D) | 3 | 1 (barre) | F (1) |
| 1 (G) | 5 | 4 | C (5) |
Fsus2/C inversion
F suspended 2nd is played at the 8th fret as 8 10 10 10: index finger on the E string at fret 8, middle finger on the A string at fret 10, ring finger on the D string at fret 10 and pinky finger on the G string at fret 10.
Full note and interval breakdown
| String | Fret | Finger | Note |
|---|---|---|---|
| 4 (E) | 8 | 1 | C (5) |
| 3 (A) | 10 | 2 | G (2) |
| 2 (D) | 10 | 3 | C (5) |
| 1 (G) | 10 | 4 | F (1) |
Why it sounds like that
F suspended 2nd uses the formula 1, 2, 5, replacing the third with a major second. The interval between F and G creates the suspended quality. Contrast it with F major, which contains A instead of G.
What goes wrong with F suspended 2nd?
- Letting the ring finger flatten and mute the G string.
- Pressing too hard and bending the D string sharp.
When to use it
F suspended 2nd works as a substitute for F major in the I–IV–V–I progression F–B♭–C–F. It suits folk, pop, and ballads where the third is left open.
Changing to and from F suspended 2nd
- Move to F major by fretting the E string at fret 1, the A string at fret 3, and the D string at fret 3.
- Move to C major by fretting the A string at fret 3 and leaving the D and G strings open.
Which voicing to use
The open F suspended 2nd shape puts F in the bass for a grounded sound; the Fsus2/G inversion at fret 3 puts G in the bass for a floating feel.
Other F chords
Common questions
How is F suspended 2nd written?
F suspended 2nd is written as F or Fsus2. The root is F, and there are no alternate symbols or enharmonic names.
What is the difference between F suspended 2nd and F add 9?
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.
Can F suspended 2nd be played in a higher register?
Yes, the Fsus2/G inversion at fret 15 repeats the shape an octave higher. The Fsus2/C inversion at fret 8 puts C in the bass.