Tools / Chords / C♯ suspended 2nd

C♯ suspended 2nd chord on ukulele (C♯sus2)

Also written C♯sus2 or C♯

Ukulele · C♯sus2/D♯ inversion · 1-3-4-4

C♯ suspended 2nd is built from C♯, D♯, and G♯. This four-string grip places the 2nd in the bass, giving a bright, open sound.

C♯sus2/D♯ inversion · 1-3-4-41-3-4-4

Positions on the neck1 of 5

How it’s built

C♯1Root

D♯2Major 2nd

G♯5Perfect 5th

Formula 1, 2, 5

Positions on the neck1 of 5

Inversions

The same three notes, with a different one in the bass.

Root positionC♯–D♯–G♯C♯sus2Bass C♯

First inversionD♯–G♯–C♯C♯sus2/D♯Bass D♯

Second inversionG♯–C♯–D♯C♯sus2/G♯Bass G♯

Why it sounds like that

C♯ suspended 2nd uses the formula 1, 2, 5. The major 2nd between C♯ and D♯ replaces the major 3rd, suspending the chord. Compare with C♯ major, which has a major 3rd instead.

What goes wrong with C♯ suspended 2nd?

Letting the pinky flatten and deaden the A string next to it.
Strumming the open strings instead of fretting the 4th fret on E and A.

When to use it

C♯ suspended 2nd works as a substitute for C♯ major in progressions like I–IV–V–I in C♯ major (C♯–F♯–G♯–C♯). It suits bright pop and folk feels. Use it to add movement before resolving to C♯ major.

Changing to and from C♯ suspended 2nd

Sliding the shape up one fret to the 2nd fret gives D suspended 2nd.
Move to C♯ major by lifting the middle finger and placing it on the 3rd fret of the C string.

Which voicing to use

The default voicing has D♯ in the bass, which gives a suspended, unresolved quality. For a warmer sound, use the G♯ inversion at the 6th fret, where the 5th is the lowest note.

How do you play a C♯ suspended 2nd chord on ukulele?

C♯sus2/D♯ inversion · 1-3-4-4

Intermediate● On the diagram

C♯ suspended 2nd is played at the 1st fret as 1 3 4 4: index finger on the G string at fret 1, middle finger on the C string at fret 3, ring finger on the E string at fret 4 and pinky finger on the A string at fret 4.

Tip — The pinky must reach the 4th fret on the A string while the ring finger holds the E string, stretching the hand.

String-by-string breakdown

String	Fret	Finger	Note
4 (G)	1	1	G♯ (5)
3 (C)	3	2	D♯ (2)
2 (E)	4	3	G♯ (5)
1 (A)	4	4	C♯ (1)

C♯sus2/D♯ inversion · 6-3-4-4

Intermediate

C♯ suspended 2nd is played at the 3rd fret as 6 3 4 4: pinky finger on the G string at fret 6, index finger on the C string at fret 3, middle finger on the E string at fret 4 and ring finger on the A string at fret 4.

String-by-string breakdown

String	Fret	Finger	Note
4 (G)	6	4	C♯ (1)
3 (C)	3	1	D♯ (2)
2 (E)	4	2	G♯ (5)
1 (A)	4	3	C♯ (1)

C♯sus2/G♯ inversion · fret 6

Intermediate

C♯ suspended 2nd is played at the 6th fret as 6 8 × 6: index finger on the G string at fret 6, ring finger on the C string at fret 8 and middle finger on the A string at fret 6. The E string stays muted.

String-by-string breakdown

String	Fret	Finger	Note
4 (G)	6	1	C♯ (1)
3 (C)	8	3	G♯ (5)
2 (E)	muted	—	—
1 (A)	6	2	D♯ (2)

C♯sus2/G♯ inversion · fret 8

Intermediate

C♯ suspended 2nd is played at the 8th fret as 8 8 9 ×: index finger on the G string at fret 8, middle finger on the C string at fret 8 and ring finger on the E string at fret 9. The A string stays muted.

String-by-string breakdown

String	Fret	Finger	Note
4 (G)	8	1	D♯ (2)
3 (C)	8	2	G♯ (5)
2 (E)	9	3	C♯ (1)
1 (A)	muted	—	—

C♯sus2/D♯ inversion · 6-3-4-6

Intermediate

C♯ suspended 2nd is played at the 3rd fret as 6 3 4 6: ring finger on the G string at fret 6, index finger on the C string at fret 3, middle finger on the E string at fret 4 and pinky finger on the A string at fret 6.

String-by-string breakdown

String	Fret	Finger	Note
4 (G)	6	3	C♯ (1)
3 (C)	3	1	D♯ (2)
2 (E)	4	2	G♯ (5)
1 (A)	6	4	D♯ (2)

Common questions

How is C♯ suspended 2nd written?

C♯ suspended 2nd is written as C♯sus2 or C♯. The ASCII root is C#, so you may see C#sus2. It is also spelled D♭ in enharmonic notation for the same sounding root.

What is the difference between C♯sus2 and C♯sus4?

C♯sus2 replaces the 3rd with a major 2nd (D♯), while C♯sus4 replaces it with a perfect 4th (F♯). Sus2 has a brighter, more open sound.

Can C♯sus2 be used in place of C♯ major?

Yes, C♯sus2 can substitute for C♯ major when you want to avoid the major 3rd. It creates tension that resolves when you return to the major chord.

String

Fret

Finger

Note

4 (G)

G♯ (5)

3 (C)

D♯ (2)

2 (E)

G♯ (5)

1 (A)

C♯ (1)

String

Fret

Finger

Note

4 (G)

C♯ (1)

3 (C)

D♯ (2)

2 (E)

G♯ (5)

1 (A)

C♯ (1)

String

Fret

Finger

Note

4 (G)

C♯ (1)

3 (C)

G♯ (5)

2 (E)

muted

—

1 (A)

D♯ (2)

String

Fret

Finger

Note

4 (G)

D♯ (2)

3 (C)

G♯ (5)

2 (E)

C♯ (1)

1 (A)

muted

—

String

Fret

Finger

Note

4 (G)

C♯ (1)

3 (C)

D♯ (2)

2 (E)

G♯ (5)

1 (A)

D♯ (2)