Piano chord
Csus2C suspended second
- C1
- D2
- G5
- Notes
- 3
- Positions
- 3
- Span
- 7semitones
- Fingers
- 1-2-5
How to play Csus2 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.
Csus2 inversions
Use these 3 positions to move between chords with as little hand movement as possible. Root position starts on C; the inversions start on the other notes of the chord.
- Root positionbass: CRight hand 1-2-5 · Left hand 5-3-1
- 1st inversionbass: DRight hand 1-2-5 · Left hand 5-2-1
- 2nd inversionbass: GRight hand 1-3-5 · Left hand 5-2-1
Csus2 with two hands
A full sound: the left hand plays C an octave lower, the right hand plays C–D–G.
Csus2 on other instruments
About the Csus2 chord
To build C suspended second, take these 3 notes from the root up: 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 Csus2, so it works in either hand.
In the inversions of Csus2 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).
Compared with Cadd9, Csus2 leaves out E.
Questions
What notes are in the Csus2 chord?
Csus2 (C suspended second) has 3 notes: C (1), D (2), G (5).
How many inversions does Csus2 have?
Csus2 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 Csus2 and Cadd9?
Compared with Cadd9, Csus2 leaves out E.
Can I play Csus2 with one hand?
Yes. In root position Csus2 spans 7 semitones, less than an octave, so one hand holds it easily.