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E suspended 2nd chord on bass (Esus2)
Also called or written Esus2 or E
E suspended 2nd contains E, F♯, and B. The default voicing places F♯ in the bass, giving the chord a bright, second-inversion shimmer.
How it is built
Formula 1, 2, 5
How do you play an E suspended 2nd chord on bass?
E suspended 2nd is played at the 2nd fret as 2 2 2 4: barre your index finger across fret 2 and pinky finger on the G string at fret 4.
Full note and interval breakdown
| String | Fret | Finger | Note |
|---|---|---|---|
| 4 (E) | 2 | 1 (barre) | F♯ (2) |
| 3 (A) | 2 | 1 (barre) | B (5) |
| 2 (D) | 2 | 1 (barre) | E (1) |
| 1 (G) | 4 | 4 | B (5) |
IntermediateThe index barre must hold three strings at the 2nd fret while the pinky reaches the 4th fret on the G string.
Esus2/B inversion
E suspended 2nd is played at the 7th fret as 7 9 9 9: index finger on the E string at fret 7, middle finger on the A string at fret 9, ring finger on the D string at fret 9 and pinky finger on the G string at fret 9.
Full note and interval breakdown
| String | Fret | Finger | Note |
|---|---|---|---|
| 4 (E) | 7 | 1 | B (5) |
| 3 (A) | 9 | 2 | F♯ (2) |
| 2 (D) | 9 | 3 | B (5) |
| 1 (G) | 9 | 4 | E (1) |
Why it sounds like that
E suspended 2nd is built from the formula 1, 2, 5. The Major 2nd between E and F♯ replaces the third, creating an open, unresolved quality. Compare with E major, which uses a Major 3rd instead.
What goes wrong with E suspended 2nd?
- The A string buzzes because the barre finger is not pressing evenly across the 2nd fret.
- The pinky accidentally touches the D string, muting the note at the 2nd fret.
When to use it
E suspended 2nd works as a passing chord in E major, especially in the I–IV–V–I progression: E major–A major–B major–E major. Its open sound suits rock, country, and folk bass lines.
Changing to and from E suspended 2nd
- Sliding the shape up one fret to the 3rd fret gives F suspended 2nd.
- Move to E major by lifting the pinky and shifting the barre to fret 2 on the E string while fretting G♯ on the A string at fret 4.
Which voicing to use
The 2nd-fret voicing puts F♯ in the bass, which is useful when the chord needs to lead to B. The 7th-fret voicing puts B in the bass and is easier to reach in mid-neck positions.
Other E chords
Common questions
How does E suspended 2nd differ from E suspended 4th?
E suspended 2nd replaces the third with a Major 2nd (F♯), while E suspended 4th replaces it with a Perfect 4th (A). The sus2 sounds brighter and more open; the sus4 has a stronger pull to resolve.
What is the difference between E suspended 2nd and E add 9?
E suspended 2nd omits the third entirely, leaving E, F♯, and B. E add 9 includes the major third (G♯) along with the ninth (F♯), so it has a fuller, more consonant sound.
Can E suspended 2nd be used in minor keys?
Yes, E suspended 2nd appears in E natural minor, where the notes E, F♯, and B are all diatonic. It can substitute for E minor to create a suspended, unresolved feel.