F sus2 (Fsus2) chord on mandolin

Looking for the Fsus2 chord on mandolin? It is a sus2 chord (a major second instead of the third), made of three notes: F – G – C.

Dots show:

Basic shapeeasy

Open positioneasy

Position 8medium

Position 5medium

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What the Fsus2 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 Fsus2 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 (E): fret 3, ring finger (G5)
String 2 (A): fret 3, middle finger (C5)
String 3 (D): fret 3, index finger (F4)
String 4 (G): open (G3)

Open position

String 1 (E): fret 1, index finger (F5)
String 2 (A): fret 3, little finger (C5)
String 3 (D): fret 3, ring finger (F4)
String 4 (G): open (G3)

Position 8

String 1 (E): fret 8, index finger (C6)
String 2 (A): fret 10, ring finger (G5)
String 3 (D): fret 10, ring finger (C5)
String 4 (G): fret 10, ring finger (F4)

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 Fsus2 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 major: IVsus2 (subdominant)
C minor: IVsus2 (subdominant)
A♭ major: VIsus2
E♭ major: IIsus2
G minor: VIIsus2
D minor: IIIsus2
A minor: VIsus2

Similar chords and substitutes

If Fsus2 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
Fm – or to minor

Same notes

Csus4 – the same notes with a different root

Richer versions

Fadd9 – the same chord plus 1 colour note
F9 – the same chord plus 2 colour notes
Fm9 – the same chord plus 2 colour notes
Fmaj9 – the same chord plus 2 colour notes

Frequently asked questions

What notes are in the Fsus2 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 Fsus2 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 Fsus2 chord written?

The chord symbol is Fsus2, and its full name is F sus2.