C sus2 (Csus2) chord on mandolin

Looking for the Csus2 chord on mandolin? It is a sus2 chord (a major second instead of the third), made of three notes: C – D – G.

Dots show:

Basic shapeeasy

Position 5medium

Position 7medium

Position 10easy

Tap a string on a diagram to hear just that string. The sound is generated in your browser with a physical string model.

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What the Csus2 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 Csus2 chord

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

How to play it – with fingering

Basic shape, barre at fret 3

String 1 (E): fret 3, index finger (G5)
String 2 (A): fret 3, index finger (C5)
String 3 (D): open (D4)
String 4 (G): open (G3)

For the barre, lay your index finger flat across all the marked strings at fret 3; your other fingers press the higher frets.

Position 5

String 1 (E): fret 8, little finger (C6)
String 2 (A): fret 5, ring finger (D5)
String 3 (D): fret 5, middle finger (G4)
String 4 (G): fret 5, index finger (C4)

Position 7

String 1 (E): fret 10, little finger (D6)
String 2 (A): fret 10, little finger (G5)
String 3 (D): fret 10, little finger (C5)
String 4 (G): fret 7, index finger (D4)

Tuning: G D A E, like a violin; every note is a pair of strings that you fret together. In the diagram, × means the string is not played, and a circle means an open string.

Which keys is it in?

The Csus2 chord is built from the notes of these keys (for minor keys, both the natural and the harmonic minor are considered):

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

Similar chords and substitutes

If Csus2 is too hard, or you want a different colour in the same spot, these chords are worth a try.

Substitutes (by function)

C – resolves the suspension to major
Cm – or to minor

Same notes

Gsus4 – the same notes with a different root

Richer versions

Cadd9 – the same chord plus 1 colour note
C9 – the same chord plus 2 colour notes
Cm9 – the same chord plus 2 colour notes
Cmaj9 – the same chord plus 2 colour notes

Frequently asked questions

What notes are in the Csus2 chord?

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

What is the easiest way to play Csus2 on mandolin?

The easiest shape above is “Basic shape”, rated easy. We show 4 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 Csus2 chord written?

The chord symbol is Csus2, and its full name is C sus2.