Also written Asus2 or A
A suspended 2nd contains A, B, and E. The default voicing places B in the bass, which softens the chord's root identity.
The same three notes, with a different one in the bass.
A suspended 2nd is built from the formula 1, 2, 5. The Major 2nd between A and B replaces the third, creating an open, unresolved quality. Compare with A major, which uses a Major 3rd instead.
A suspended 2nd works as a passing chord in A major, especially in the I–IV–V–I progression: A major–D major–E major–A major. Its open sound suits folk, rock, and ambient bass lines.
The 7th-fret voicing puts B in the bass, which is useful when the chord needs to lead to E. The 2nd-fret voicing puts E in the bass and is easier to reach in open positions.
A suspended 2nd is played at the 7th fret as 7 7 7 9: barre your index finger across fret 7 and pinky finger on the G string at fret 9.
Tip — The index barre must hold three strings at the 7th fret while the pinky reaches the 9th fret on the G string.
| String | Fret | Finger | Note |
|---|---|---|---|
| 4 (E) | 7 | 1 (barre) | B (2) |
| 3 (A) | 7 | 1 (barre) | E (5) |
| 2 (D) | 7 | 1 (barre) | A (1) |
| 1 (G) | 9 | 4 | E (5) |
A suspended 2nd is played in open position as 0 2 2 2: barre your index finger across fret 2. The E string rings open.
| String | Fret | Finger | Note |
|---|---|---|---|
| 4 (E) | open | — | E (5) |
| 3 (A) | 2 | 1 (barre) | B (2) |
| 2 (D) | 2 | 1 (barre) | E (5) |
| 1 (G) | 2 | 1 (barre) | A (1) |
A suspended 2nd is played at the 12th fret as 12 14 14 14: index finger on the E string at fret 12, middle finger on the A string at fret 14, ring finger on the D string at fret 14 and pinky finger on the G string at fret 14.
| String | Fret | Finger | Note |
|---|---|---|---|
| 4 (E) | 12 | 1 | E (5) |
| 3 (A) | 14 | 2 | B (2) |
| 2 (D) | 14 | 3 | E (5) |
| 1 (G) | 14 | 4 | A (1) |
A suspended 2nd replaces the third with a Major 2nd (B), while A suspended 4th replaces it with a Perfect 4th (D). The sus2 sounds brighter and more open; the sus4 has a stronger pull to resolve.
A suspended 2nd omits the third entirely, leaving A, B, and E. A add 9 includes the major third (C♯) along with the ninth (B), so it has a fuller, more consonant sound.
Yes, A suspended 2nd appears in A natural minor, where the notes A, B, and E are all diatonic. It can substitute for A minor to create a suspended, unresolved feel.