C Suspended 2nd Chord (Csus2) on Piano
The Csus2 chord (C suspended 2nd) is built from 3 notes: C – D – G.
Play these notes on a MIDI keyboard, your computer keyboard, or the on-screen keys and ChordKeys will name the chord back to you.
Notes and intervals
| Note | Degree | Interval from C | Semitones |
|---|---|---|---|
| C | 1 | root | 0 |
| D | 2 | major 2nd | 2 |
| G | 5 | perfect 5th | 7 |
Inversions
Rearranging which note sits at the bottom gives you 3 playable voicings of the same chord. Inversions let you move between chords with less hand movement.
| Voicing | Notes | Bass note |
|---|---|---|
| Root position | C – D – G | C in the bass |
| 1st inversion | D – G – C | D in the bass |
| 2nd inversion | G – C – D | G in the bass |
How the suspended 2nd chord is built
Every suspended 2nd chord uses the same interval formula: 1 (0 semitones), 2 (2 semitones), 5 (7 semitones). Starting on C and applying that formula produces C, D, G. Learn the formula once and you can build a suspended 2nd chord on any of the twelve roots.
Keys that contain Csus2
Every note of Csus2 belongs to these keys, so it will sit naturally in a progression written in any of them.
Other chords on C
Suspended 2nd chords on other roots
Frequently asked questions
What notes are in a Csus2 chord?
A Csus2 chord contains the notes C, D, G. Those are the 1, 2, 5 degrees measured from the root note C.
How do you play Csus2 on piano?
Place your thumb on C, then add D and G above it. With a right hand in root position the common fingering is 1–3–5.