C Sus2 Triads on Guitar: Every Inversion on Every String Set
A C sus2 triad is C, D and G (1 2 5). It has three arrangements, root position, first inversion and second inversion, and each can be played on four groups of three strings: all twelve shapes are below.
Keys
Triads — Csus2
Root position
First inversion
Second inversion
All inversions
The notes of Csus2
C sus2 is a major second (two frets) and then a perfect fourth, with no third at all. Root position puts C at the bottom (C, D and G); first inversion puts D at the bottom (D, G and C); second inversion puts G at the bottom (G, C and D).
Csus2 replaces the third with the second, D. With no third it is neither major nor minor; it sounds open and unresolved, and it usually moves to C major or minor by letting D rise to the third.
Csus2 on every string set
On the low E, A and D strings: root position at frets 5–8, first inversion at fret 10 and second inversion at frets 0–3.
On the A, D and G strings: root position at frets 0–3, first inversion at fret 5 and second inversion at frets 7–10.
On the D, G and B strings: root position at frets 7–10, first inversion at frets 0–1 and second inversion at frets 3–5.
On the G, B and high e strings: root position at frets 3–5, first inversion at frets 7–8 and second inversion at frets 0–13.
Where the inversions sit in the CAGED shapes
The practice pad above shows Csus2's triads inside each CAGED shape. Use the R, 2, 3 and V switches to see each arrangement:
- Root position: C shape (fret 12), A shape (fret 3), G shape (fret 5) and E shape (fret 7).
- First inversion: C shape (fret 12), G shape (fret 5) and E shape (fret 7).
- Second inversion: C shape (fret 10), A shape (fret 3) and E shape (fret 7).
Where Csus2 appears
Csus2 isn't built on the scale's thirds, so it isn't a diatonic chord in the usual sense, but all three of its notes fit 12 keys: C major (on the 1st degree), E♭ major (on the 6th degree), F major (on the 5th degree), G major (on the 4th degree) and B♭ major (on the 2nd degree), and C minor (1st), D minor (7th), E minor (6th), G minor (4th) and A minor (3rd).
Of those, C major, G major, D minor, E minor and A minor are keys guitarists play in constantly, because their open strings ring with the scale, so Csus2 turns up often in songs.
Open strings and capo options for Csus2
Two open strings are part of Csus2: the D string (the third) and the G string (the fifth). None of them is the root, so they colour a voicing rather than anchor it.
Closely related chords
A sus chord is a pause before major or minor: Csus2 keeps the root and fifth and moves the third, so its closest chords share the same root.
Csus2 triad FAQs
What notes are in a C sus2 triad?
C, D and G. The formula is 1 2 5.
What is the first inversion of Csus2?
D, G and C, with D in the bass. On the G, B and high e strings it sits at fret 7, fret 8 and fret 8.
Is Csus2 major or minor?
Neither. It has no third: the second, D, takes its place, which is why it sounds open and unresolved.
Related
Learn more
How to use guitar triads explains inversions and how to use them in rhythm parts and solos, and triads on all string sets goes through each set in turn. The triad library has every chord.