F♯ sus2 (F♯sus2) chord on banjo

The F♯ sus2 chord (F♯sus2) is a sus2 chord (a major second instead of the third), made of three notes: F♯ – G♯ – C♯. The same chord with a different spelling: G♭ sus2 (G♭sus2).

Dots show:

Basic shapemedium

Position 4medium

Position 9medium

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What the F♯sus2 chord sounds like

In a sus2 chord a major second replaces the third, so it is neither major nor minor: it sounds open and floating. It often decorates a major or minor chord.

Notes of the F♯sus2 chord

Degree	Note	Interval from the root
1	F♯	root
2	G♯	major second (2 semitones)
5	C♯	perfect fifth (7 semitones)

How to play it – with fingering

Basic shape

String 1 (D): fret 6, ring finger (G♯4)
String 2 (B): fret 7, little finger (F♯4)
String 3 (G): fret 6, middle finger (C♯4)
String 4 (D): fret 6, index finger (G♯3)

Position 4

String 1 (D): fret 4, index finger (F♯4)
String 2 (B): fret 7, little finger (F♯4)
String 3 (G): fret 6, ring finger (C♯4)
String 4 (D): fret 6, ring finger (G♯3)

Position 9

String 1 (D): fret 11, little finger (C♯5)
String 2 (B): fret 9, index finger (G♯4)
String 3 (G): fret 11, ring finger (F♯4)
String 4 (D): fret 11, ring finger (C♯4)

Five-string banjo in open G tuning (g D G B D). The diagram shows the four long strings; the short 5th string (g) rings open – avoid it when G is not in the chord. In the diagram, × means the string is not played, and a circle means an open string.

Which keys is it in?

The F♯sus2 chord is built from the notes of these keys (for minor keys, both the natural and the harmonic minor are considered):

F♯ major: Isus2 (tonic)
F♯ minor: Isus2 (tonic)
B major: Vsus2 (dominant)
C♯ minor: IVsus2 (subdominant)
A major: VIsus2
E major: IIsus2
G♯ minor: VIIsus2
D♯ minor: IIIsus2

Similar chords and substitutes

If F♯sus2 is too hard, or you want a different colour in the same spot, these chords are worth a try.

Substitutes (by function)

F♯ – resolves the suspension to major
F♯m – or to minor

Same notes

C♯sus4 – the same notes with a different root

Richer versions

F♯add9 – the same chord plus 1 colour note
F♯9 – the same chord plus 2 colour notes
F♯m9 – the same chord plus 2 colour notes
F♯maj9 – the same chord plus 2 colour notes

Frequently asked questions

What notes are in the F♯sus2 chord?

F♯, G♯, C♯. The root is F♯; the intervals of the other notes from the root: major second, perfect fifth.

What is the easiest way to play F♯sus2 on banjo?

The easiest shape above is “Basic shape”. We show 3 shapes, from open and easy versions to movable barre shapes higher up the neck.

How do I read the chord diagram?

Strings run from the lowest (left) to the highest (right) – tick “Left-handed” to mirror it. Rows are frets; a number at the side shows the starting fret. Dots are fingers (1 index, 2 middle, 3 ring, 4 little), a long bar is a barre, × means don't play that string and ○ means play it open.

How is the F♯sus2 chord written?

The chord symbol is F♯sus2 (also written F#sus2), and its full name is F♯ sus2.