How do you play the C sus2(b5)/D chord?

To play the C sus2(b5)/D chord on piano, play the C sus2(b5) chord (C, D and F#) with D as the lowest bass note. Place the D note below the other chord tones. Slash chords specify a particular bass note different from the chord root.

What is a slash chord?

A slash chord (or compound chord) is written as Chord/Bass and specifies both a chord and a bass note. The note to the right of the slash is played as the lowest note. The C sus2(b5)/D chord means a C sus2(b5) chord with D in the bass.

C sus2(b5)/D

Q: What notes are in the C sus2(b5)/D chord?

The C sus2(b5)/D chord uses the 3 notes of the C sus2(b5) chord — C (Perfect unison), D (Major second) and F# (Diminished fifth) — with D played as the bass note in the lowest register.

The C sus2(b5) chord consists of the C (Perfect unison), D (Major second) and F# (Diminished fifth) notes, with D as the bass note.

Piano keyboard showing the notes for a C sus2(b5)/D chord

How to play the C sus2(b5)/D chord

Play D as the lowest bass note in the left hand
Find C (Root) on the piano keyboard
Add D (Major second) — 2 semitones above C
Add F# (Diminished fifth) — 6 semitones above C
Press all 4 notes simultaneously to sound the C sus2(b5)/D chord

Inversions with same root

D 7(no5)

Related chords with different root

C sus2(b5)

Related slash chords

C dim(no3)/D
F# dim(no3)/D