C Suspended 2nd Guitar Chord
All positions and voicings on the fretboard
No playable voicings found for this chord. Try a different chord type or root note.
C Suspended 2nd filtered by fret:
C Suspended 2nd — chord details
The C Suspended 2nd chord is made up of the following notes: C, D, G.
Intervals: 1P, 2M, 5P.
The diagrams above show every voicing and chord variation for C Suspended 2nd on guitar. Use the fret filter to narrow down voicings within a specific fret range — ideal for finding close-proximity chords when composing or arranging.
C sus2 substitutes the third for a major second, giving the notes C, D, G with intervals 1P, 2M, 5P. Like its sus4 sibling, this chord avoids declaring major or minor, but the second degree lends it a more modern, spacious, and airy character. Sus2 chords are favorites in alternative rock, post-rock, and worship music, where their openness creates an atmospheric, expansive harmonic palette.
How to Play C Suspended 2nd
On guitar, C sus2 typically requires a barre or partial barre voicing. Experiment with different positions to find the voicing that best suits your playing context — higher positions sound brighter and tighter, while lower positions offer more bass and resonance. CAGED system shapes help navigate these options efficiently.
C Suspended 2nd in Progressions
C sus2 works as an alternative to both C major and C minor, adding ambiguity and openness. It is popular in verse sections of pop and rock songs, where its neutral quality allows the melody to define the emotional direction.
Common Substitutions
C major, Csus4, or Gsus4 provide alternative voicings with a similar open character.
Difficulty: On guitar, this chord is intermediate — a barre or partial barre is likely needed, but the shape is manageable with practice.