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Ebsus2 Chord

Ebsus2 uses F 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 flat-F-B flat
  • Symbol: Ebsus2
  • Isus2 in Eb major
  • Second instead of third
Switch chordEbsus2

How to play an Ebsus2 chord

Notes: Eb - F - Bb · symbol Ebsus2

  • Root position

    Eb - F - Bb
    C4C5
    Right hand 1-3-5 · Left 5-3-1

  • 1st inversion

    F - Bb - Eb
    C4C5
    Right hand 1-2-5 · Left 5-3-1

  • 2nd inversion

    Bb - Eb - F
    C4C5
    Right hand 1-3-5 · Left 5-2-1

Where does Ebsus2 belong?

The second replaces the third, so Ebsus2 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 Eb majorOpen color
    Isus2

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

    EbIEbsus2Isus2EbI
  • In Bb majorAiry step away
    IVsus2

    An open-sounding IV in Bb major.

    BbIEbsus2IVsus2FVBbI

Progressions to try

  • EbEbsus2Eb

    The chord moves from Eb to Ebsus2 and back, so you can hear the missing third return.

  • BbEbsus2FBb

    Here Ebsus2 colors the IV chord before the loop continues to V and back home.

Which shape should you use?

On guitar, start with xx1341, played at the 1st fret. Mute any strings marked x. The x68866 shape gives you another position when the neighboring chords sit elsewhere on the neck.

On ukulele, start with 3311, played at the 1st fret. The 8566 grip moves the chord to another register.

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

What are the inversions?

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

  • Root position: E flat-F-B flat, with E flat lowest.
  • First inversion: F-B flat-E flat, written Ebsus2/F if F is lowest in the whole arrangement.
  • Second inversion: B flat-E flat-F, written Ebsus2/Bb if B flat 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 Ebsus2 differ from Eb?

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

  • Ebsus2

    Eb - F - Bb
    C4

    Eb sus2

  • Eb

    Eb - G - Bb
    C4

    Eb major

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