Also written Asus2 or A
A suspended 2nd contains A, B, and E. The open shape is a beginner-friendly grip that needs only two fretted notes.
The same three notes, with a different one in the bass.
A suspended 2nd is built from the formula 1, 2, 5. The major second interval between A and B replaces the third, creating an open, unresolved sound. Compare this with A major, which uses C♯ instead of B.
A suspended 2nd works as a passing chord in A major progressions like A–D–E–A, the I–IV–V–I. It also fits the I–V–vi–IV in A major: A–E–F♯ minor–D. Use it in folk, rock, and pop when you want a suspended color before resolving to A major.
The open position is the easiest and most common. The 12th fret version is a barre shape with the same voicing an octave higher. The Asus2/B inversions put the second in the bass, creating a softer, less grounded sound.
A suspended 2nd is played in open position as × 0 2 2 0 0: index finger on the D string at fret 2 and middle finger on the G string at fret 2. The A, B and high e strings ring open. The low E string stays muted.
Tip — The hardest part is muting the 6th string while fretting the 4th and 3rd strings cleanly.
| String | Fret | Finger | Note |
|---|---|---|---|
| 6 (E) | muted | — | — |
| 5 (A) | open | — | A (1) |
| 4 (D) | 2 | 1 | E (5) |
| 3 (G) | 2 | 2 | A (1) |
| 2 (B) | open | — | B (2) |
| 1 (e) | open | — | E (5) |
A suspended 2nd is played at the 12th fret as × 12 14 14 12 12: barre your index finger across fret 12, ring finger on the D string at fret 14 and pinky finger on the G string at fret 14. The low E string stays muted.
| String | Fret | Finger | Note |
|---|---|---|---|
| 6 (E) | muted | — | — |
| 5 (A) | 12 | 1 (barre) | A (1) |
| 4 (D) | 14 | 3 | E (5) |
| 3 (G) | 14 | 4 | A (1) |
| 2 (B) | 12 | 1 (barre) | B (2) |
| 1 (e) | 12 | 1 (barre) | E (5) |
A suspended 2nd is played in open position as × 2 2 2 0 0: barre your index finger across fret 2. The B and high e strings ring open. The low E string stays muted.
| String | Fret | Finger | Note |
|---|---|---|---|
| 6 (E) | muted | — | — |
| 5 (A) | 2 | 1 (barre) | B (2) |
| 4 (D) | 2 | 1 (barre) | E (5) |
| 3 (G) | 2 | 1 (barre) | A (1) |
| 2 (B) | open | — | B (2) |
| 1 (e) | open | — | E (5) |
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. The B and high e strings stay muted.
| String | Fret | Finger | Note |
|---|---|---|---|
| 6 (E) | 7 | 1 (barre) | B (2) |
| 5 (A) | 7 | 1 (barre) | E (5) |
| 4 (D) | 7 | 1 (barre) | A (1) |
| 3 (G) | 9 | 4 | E (5) |
| 2 (B) | muted | — | — |
| 1 (e) | muted | — | — |
A suspended 2nd is played at the 12th fret as × 14 14 14 12 12: barre your index finger across 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. The low E string stays muted.
| String | Fret | Finger | Note |
|---|---|---|---|
| 6 (E) | muted | — | — |
| 5 (A) | 14 | 2 | B (2) |
| 4 (D) | 14 | 3 | E (5) |
| 3 (G) | 14 | 4 | A (1) |
| 2 (B) | 12 | 1 (barre) | B (2) |
| 1 (e) | 12 | 1 (barre) | E (5) |
A suspended 2nd is written as A or Asus2.
A suspended 2nd omits the third entirely, leaving only A, B, and E. A add 9 includes the major third C♯ along with the ninth B, so it sounds fuller and more resolved.
A suspended 2nd has no third, so it is neither major nor minor. It can substitute for A minor in some contexts, but it will sound more open and less dark.