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Esus2 Chord

Esus2 uses F sharp instead of a third. Without that major-or-minor note, the chord leaves its quality open until the next chord supplies more context.

  • Notes: E-F sharp-B
  • Symbol: Esus2
  • Isus2 in E major
  • Second instead of third
Switch chordEsus2

How to play an Esus2 chord

Notes: E - F# - B · symbol Esus2

  • Root position

    E - F# - B
    C4C5
    Right hand 1-3-5 · Left 5-3-1

  • 1st inversion

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

  • 2nd inversion

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

Where does Esus2 belong?

The second replaces the third, so Esus2 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 E majorOpen color
    Isus2

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

    EIEsus2Isus2EI
  • In B majorAiry step away
    IVsus2

    An open-sounding IV in B major.

    BIEsus2IVsus2F#VBI

Progressions to try

  • EEsus2E

    The chord moves from E to Esus2 and back, so you can hear the missing third return.

  • BEsus2F#B

    Here Esus2 colors the IV chord before the loop continues to V and back home.

Which shape should you use?

On guitar, the open shape 024400 is the easiest place to start. The barre shape x79977, at the 7th fret, moves the chord up the neck and sits well between other barre chords.

On ukulele, start with 4422, played at the 2nd fret. 9677 gives a higher version.

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

What are the inversions?

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

  • Root position: E-F sharp-B, with E lowest.
  • First inversion: F sharp-B-E, written Esus2/F# if F sharp is lowest in the whole arrangement.
  • Second inversion: B-E-F sharp, written Esus2/B if B 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 Esus2 differ from E?

Keep E and B; replace the second, F sharp, with the major third, G sharp, to make E. 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 E for the other chord's full spelling and roles.

  • Esus2

    E - F# - B
    C4C5

    E sus2

  • E

    E - G# - B
    C4C5

    E major

Try another chord