Explore chords · Ukulele
A♭ suspended 2nd chord on ukulele (A♭sus2)
Also called or written A♭sus2 or A♭
A♭ suspended 2nd contains A♭, B♭, and E♭. The 6th fret shape mutes the G string and requires a stretch across three frets.
How it is built
Formula 1, 2, 5
- Root positionA♭–B♭–E♭A♭sus2×-8-6-6
- First inversionB♭–E♭–A♭A♭sus2/B♭×-10-11-11
- Second inversionE♭–A♭–B♭A♭sus2/E♭3-3-4-×
How do you play an A♭ suspended 2nd chord on ukulele?
A♭ suspended 2nd is played at the 6th fret as × 8 6 6: ring finger on the C string at fret 8, index finger on the E string at fret 6 and middle finger on the A string at fret 6. The G string stays muted.
Full note and interval breakdown
| String | Fret | Finger | Note |
|---|---|---|---|
| 4 (G) | muted | — | — |
| 3 (C) | 8 | 3 | A♭ (1) |
| 2 (E) | 6 | 1 | B♭ (2) |
| 1 (A) | 6 | 2 | E♭ (5) |
IntermediateThe ring finger must reach fret 8 on the C string while the index and middle hold fret 6 cleanly.
A♭sus2/E♭ inversion
A♭ suspended 2nd is played at the 3rd fret as 3 3 4 ×: index finger on the G string at fret 3, middle finger on the C string at fret 3 and ring finger on the E string at fret 4. The A string stays muted.
Full note and interval breakdown
| String | Fret | Finger | Note |
|---|---|---|---|
| 4 (G) | 3 | 1 | B♭ (2) |
| 3 (C) | 3 | 2 | E♭ (5) |
| 2 (E) | 4 | 3 | A♭ (1) |
| 1 (A) | muted | — | — |
A♭sus2/B♭ inversion
A♭ suspended 2nd is played at the 10th fret as × 10 11 11: index finger on the C string at fret 10, middle finger on the E string at fret 11 and ring finger on the A string at fret 11. The G string stays muted.
Full note and interval breakdown
| String | Fret | Finger | Note |
|---|---|---|---|
| 4 (G) | muted | — | — |
| 3 (C) | 10 | 1 | B♭ (2) |
| 2 (E) | 11 | 2 | E♭ (5) |
| 1 (A) | 11 | 3 | A♭ (1) |
6th fret · 8-8-6-6
A♭ suspended 2nd is played at the 6th fret as 8 8 6 6: ring finger on the G string at fret 8, pinky finger on the C string at fret 8, index finger on the E string at fret 6 and middle finger on the A string at fret 6.
Full note and interval breakdown
| String | Fret | Finger | Note |
|---|---|---|---|
| 4 (G) | 8 | 3 | E♭ (5) |
| 3 (C) | 8 | 4 | A♭ (1) |
| 2 (E) | 6 | 1 | B♭ (2) |
| 1 (A) | 6 | 2 | E♭ (5) |
Why it sounds like that
A♭ suspended 2nd is built from the formula 1, 2, 5. The major 2nd between A♭ and B♭ replaces the major 3rd of A♭ major, creating an open, unresolved sound. The perfect 5th anchors the chord.
What goes wrong with A♭ suspended 2nd?
- Letting the G string ring out; mute it with the fretting-hand thumb.
- Pressing the E string too hard and bending it sharp.
- Collapsing the ring finger onto the C string fret 8 and deadening the E string.
When to use it
A♭ suspended 2nd works as a passing chord in A♭ major progressions like A♭–D♭–E♭–A♭ (I–IV–V–I). It suits rock and pop strumming where the suspended 2nd adds tension before resolution. Use it before A♭ major to delay the tonic.
Changing to and from A♭ suspended 2nd
- Move to A♭ major by lifting the index finger from the E string and placing it on the C string fret 8, keeping the middle finger on the A string fret 6.
- Slide the whole shape down two frets to the 4th fret to play F♯ suspended 2nd.
Which voicing to use
The 6th fret shape puts A♭ in the bass and is the most direct voicing. The A♭sus2/E♭ inversion at frets 8-8-6-6 gives a lower, darker sound with E♭ in the bass. Choose the A♭sus2/B♭ inversion when you want the 2nd in the bass for a suspended feel.
Other A♭ chords
Common questions
How is A♭ suspended 2nd written?
A♭ suspended 2nd is written A♭sus2 or A♭. On a keyboard, use Ab as the ASCII root. It is also spelled G♯ in enharmonic notation for the same sounding root.
How does A♭ suspended 2nd differ from A♭ add 9?
A♭ suspended 2nd replaces the 3rd with the 2nd, so it has no major or minor quality. A♭ add 9 keeps the major 3rd and adds the 2nd on top, giving a fuller major sound.
Can A♭ suspended 2nd resolve to A♭ minor?
Yes, A♭ suspended 2nd can resolve to A♭ minor because the 2nd (B♭) moves down to the minor 3rd (C♭). The lack of a 3rd in the sus2 makes the resolution smooth.