C suspended second chord (Csus2) on piano
The C suspended second chord (Csus2) on piano has 3 notes: C, D, and G (C, D, G). On the keyboard below, the root (C) has the strongest color; each key shows the note name and the degree.
- Notes
- CDG
- Formula
- 125
How to play Csus2 on piano
Root position · From low to high: C D G
The small dot marks middle C (C4). Tap a key to hear the note.
Csus2 chord inversions
Inverting a chord means putting another of its notes in the bass (the lowest key) without changing the notes. Inversions shorten the way your hand travels from one chord to the next and slightly change the color of the sound.
-
1st inversion (Csus2/D)
Csus2/D: D (2) in the bass
From low to high: D G C
-
2nd inversion (Csus2/G)
Csus2/G: G (5) in the bass
From low to high: G C D
Notes and intervals of Csus2
Csus2 (C suspended second) is built from 3 notes. Each one fills a degree of the chord:
- C · 1 · root
- D · 2 · major second
- G · 5 · perfect fifth
About the suspended second chord
Swaps the third for the second: neither major nor minor, an open and airy sound. Widely used in pop and modern rock to add movement to a static chord (D → Dsus2 → D) and in folk and worship fingerpicking.
Other C chords
- C
- Cm
- C7
- C7M
- Cm7
- Cm7(b5)
- C°
- C°7
- C+
- Csus2
- Csus4
- C7sus4
- C5
- Cadd9
- C6
- Cm6
- C9
- Cm(add9)
- Cm9
- C7M(9)
- Cm(7M)
- C7M(#5)
- C7(b9)
- C6(9)
- Cm6(9)
- C11
- Cm11
- C13
- Cm13
- C7(#9)
- C7(#11)
- C7(b13)
- C7(#5)
- C7M(#11)
- C9sus4
Suspended second: other roots
Frequently asked questions
What are the notes of the Csus2 chord on piano?
Csus2 (C suspended second) has the notes C, D, G. The formula is 1 · 2 · 5: root, major second, perfect fifth.
How do you play Csus2 on piano?
Find the C key and add the other notes above it: C, D, G. Play them all together.
What are the inversions of Csus2?
1st inversion (Csus2/D): D G C; 2nd inversion (Csus2/G): G C D.
What does Csus2 mean?
Csus2 is the chord symbol for C suspended second. Swaps the third for the second: neither major nor minor, an open and airy sound. Widely used in pop and modern rock to add movement to a static chord (D → Dsus2 → D) and in folk and worship fingerpicking.
Is the Csus2 chord the same on piano and keyboard?
Yes. The notes and inversions are the same on any keyboard instrument: acoustic piano, digital piano, keyboard, organ or synthesizer.