Explore chords · Ukulele
C♯ suspended 2nd chord on ukulele (C♯sus2)
Also called or written C♯sus2 or C♯
C♯ suspended 2nd contains C♯, D♯, and G♯. The 6th fret shape mutes the E string and requires a stretch across three frets.
How it is built
Formula 1, 2, 5
How do you play a C♯ suspended 2nd chord on ukulele?
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.
Full note and interval 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) |
IntermediateThe ring finger must reach fret 8 on the C string while the index and middle hold fret 6 cleanly.
C♯sus2/D♯ inversion
C♯ suspended 2nd is played at the 3rd fret as × 3 4 4: 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. The G string stays muted.
Full note and interval breakdown
| String | Fret | Finger | Note |
|---|---|---|---|
| 4 (G) | muted | — | — |
| 3 (C) | 3 | 1 | D♯ (2) |
| 2 (E) | 4 | 2 | G♯ (5) |
| 1 (A) | 4 | 3 | C♯ (1) |
C♯sus2/G♯ inversion · fret 8
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.
Full note and interval 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 | — | — |
Why it sounds like that
C♯ suspended 2nd is built from the formula 1, 2, 5. The major 2nd between C♯ and D♯ replaces the major 3rd of C♯ major, creating an open, unresolved sound. The perfect 5th anchors the chord.
What goes wrong with C♯ suspended 2nd?
- Letting the E string ring out; mute it with the fretting-hand thumb.
- Pressing the G string too hard and bending it sharp.
- Collapsing the ring finger onto the C string fret 8 and deadening the A string.
When to use it
C♯ suspended 2nd works as a passing chord in C♯ major progressions like C♯–F♯–G♯–C♯ (I–IV–V–I). It suits rock and pop strumming where the suspended 2nd adds tension before resolution. Use it before C♯ major to delay the tonic.
Changing to and from C♯ suspended 2nd
- Move to C♯ major by lifting the index finger from the G string and placing it on the C string fret 8, keeping the middle finger on the A string fret 6.
- Slide the whole shape down two frets to the 4th fret to play B suspended 2nd.
Which voicing to use
The 6th fret shape puts C♯ in the bass and is the most direct voicing. The C♯sus2/D♯ inversion at frets 8-8-9-× gives a lower, darker sound with D♯ in the bass. Choose the C♯sus2/D♯ inversion when you want the 2nd in the bass for a suspended feel.
Other C♯ chords
Common questions
How is C♯ suspended 2nd written?
C♯ suspended 2nd is written C♯sus2 or C♯. On a keyboard, use C# as the ASCII root. It is also spelled D♭ in enharmonic notation for the same sounding root.
How does C♯ suspended 2nd differ from C♯ add 9?
C♯ suspended 2nd replaces the 3rd with the 2nd, so it has no major or minor quality. C♯ add 9 keeps the major 3rd and adds the 2nd on top, giving a fuller major sound.
Can C♯ suspended 2nd resolve to C♯ minor?
Yes, C♯ suspended 2nd can resolve to C♯ minor because the 2nd (D♯) moves down to the minor 3rd (E). The lack of a 3rd in the sus2 makes the resolution smooth.