Open Csus2 chords: 5 shapes you need to know

Martin Simpson
Martin Simpson uses open Csus2 tuning on tracks such as Buckets of Rain (Image credit: Future / Olly Curtis)

Here is an open tuning that is actually very similar to Gsus4 – and the fresh perspective it offers on the instrument is transformative.

The only difference is that for this tuning we’ll drop the sixth string another tone down to C. It’s quite remarkable how two tunings that share the same notes can be applied in different ways.

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Jon Bishop

Jon Bishop is a UK-based guitarist and freelance musician, and a longtime contributor to Guitar Techniques and Total Guitar. He's a graduate of the Academy of Contemporary Music in Guildford and is touring and recording guitarist for British rock 'n' roll royalty Shakin’ Stevens.