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Asus2 Chord

Asus2 uses B instead of a third. Without that major-or-minor note, the chord leaves its quality open until the next chord supplies more context.

  • Notes: A-B-E
  • Symbol: Asus2
  • Isus2 in A major
  • Second instead of third
Switch chordAsus2

How to play an Asus2 chord

Notes: A - B - E · symbol Asus2

  • Root position

    A - B - E
    C4C5
    Right hand 1-3-5 · Left 5-3-1

  • 1st inversion

    B - E - A
    C4C5
    Right hand 1-2-5 · Left 5-3-1

  • 2nd inversion

    E - A - B
    C4C5
    Right hand 1-3-5 · Left 5-2-1

Where does Asus2 belong?

The second replaces the third, so Asus2 can briefly interrupt a major chord without introducing a new root.
Play the role cards to hear how its surrounding chords change the job it does; Diatonic Chords explains the basic numbered roles.

  • In A majorOpen color
    Isus2

    Without a third the chord is neither major nor minor: open and unresolved.

    AIAsus2Isus2AI
  • In E majorAiry step away
    IVsus2

    An open-sounding IV in E major.

    EIAsus2IVsus2BVEI

Progressions to try

  • AAsus2A

    The chord moves from A to Asus2 and back, so you can hear the missing third return.

  • EAsus2BE

    Here Asus2 colors the IV chord before the loop continues to V and back home.

Which shape should you use?

On guitar, start with the open x02200 grip. Let the open strings ring and keep any strings marked x silent. The x-x-7-9-10-7 shape gives you another position when the neighboring chords sit elsewhere on the neck.

On ukulele, the open shape 4400 is the easiest place to start. The 4457 grip moves the chord to another register.

On piano, play A-B-E. Move A up an octave to reach the first inversion, B-E-A; the notes remain the same while the lowest voice changes.

What are the inversions?

A is the root, B the second and E the fifth. There is no third in this chord.

  • Root position: A-B-E, with A lowest.
  • First inversion: B-E-A, written Asus2/B if B is lowest in the whole arrangement.
  • Second inversion: E-A-B, written Asus2/E if E is lowest in the whole arrangement.

A slash chord names the note in the bass, not merely the lowest note under one hand. Chord Inversions shows how to read that distinction.

How does Asus2 differ from A?

Keep A and E; replace the second, B, with the major third, C sharp, to make A. A sus2 chord does not keep the third alongside the second. Try that one-note change on piano, then use the comparer to hear it in the full chord. See A for the other chord's full spelling and roles.

  • Asus2

    A - B - E
    C4

    A sus2

  • A

    A - C# - E
    C4

    A major

Try another chord