Piano chord
C♯sus2C sharp suspended second
- C♯1
- D♯2
- G♯5
- Notes
- 3
- Positions
- 3
- Span
- 7semitones
- Fingers
- 1-2-5
How to play C♯sus2 on piano
- Find C♯: it is the root and the lowest note of the chord in root position.
- Right hand: 1 on C♯, 2 on D♯, 5 on G♯.
- Or with the left hand: 5 on C♯, 3 on D♯, 1 on G♯.
- Press the keys together, with curved fingers and a loose wrist, and let them ring.
Root position · C♯ – D♯ – G♯
1st inversion · D♯ – G♯ – C♯
2nd inversion · G♯ – C♯ – D♯
Numbers on the keys are fingers: 1 thumb, 2 index, 3 middle, 4 ring, 5 little finger.
C♯sus2 inversions
Here are all 3 positions of C♯sus2. The notes stay the same, only their order changes: root position has C♯ at the bottom, and every inversion starts on the next chord tone.
- Root positionbass: C♯Right hand 1-2-5 · Left hand 5-3-1
- 1st inversionbass: D♯Right hand 1-2-5 · Left hand 5-2-1
- 2nd inversionbass: G♯Right hand 1-3-5 · Left hand 5-2-1
C♯sus2 with two hands
A full sound: the left hand plays C♯ an octave lower, the right hand plays C♯–D♯–G♯.
C♯sus2 on other instruments
About the C♯sus2 chord
The 3 notes of C sharp suspended second are C♯ (1), D♯ (2), G♯ (5). A suspended second: the third is replaced by the second, so the chord is neither major nor minor. Open and airy, it often resolves to the major or minor chord.
The keys are C♯ – D♯ – G♯, counted up from C♯; the distance from the lowest to the highest key is 7 semitones. Any hand that reaches an octave can hold C♯sus2, so it works in either hand.
In the inversions of C♯sus2 the root moves up and another note takes the bass. In the 1st inversion the bass is D♯ (D♯–G♯–C♯). In the 2nd inversion the bass is G♯ (G♯–C♯–D♯).
Take E♯ out of C♯add9 and you get C♯sus2.
Questions
What notes are in the C♯sus2 chord?
C♯sus2 (C sharp suspended second) has 3 notes: C♯ (1), D♯ (2), G♯ (5).
How many inversions does C♯sus2 have?
C♯sus2 can be played in 3 positions: Root position (C♯–D♯–G♯); 1st inversion (D♯–G♯–C♯); 2nd inversion (G♯–C♯–D♯).
What is the difference between C♯sus2 and C♯add9?
Take E♯ out of C♯add9 and you get C♯sus2.
Can I play C♯sus2 with one hand?
Yes. In root position C♯sus2 spans 7 semitones, less than an octave, so one hand holds it easily.