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A suspended 2nd chord on ukulele (Asus2)
Also called or written Asus2 or A
A suspended 2nd contains A, B, and E. The 7th-fret shape mutes the G string and stretches two frets across the top strings.
How it is built
Formula 1, 2, 5
- Root positionA–B–EAsus2×-9-7-7
- First inversionB–E–AAsus2/B×-11-12-12
- Second inversionE–A–BAsus2/E4-4-5-×
How do you play an A suspended 2nd chord on ukulele?
A suspended 2nd is played at the 7th fret as × 9 7 7: ring finger on the C string at fret 9, index finger on the E string at fret 7 and middle finger on the A string at fret 7. The G string stays muted.
Full note and interval breakdown
| String | Fret | Finger | Note |
|---|---|---|---|
| 4 (G) | muted | — | — |
| 3 (C) | 9 | 3 | A (1) |
| 2 (E) | 7 | 1 | B (2) |
| 1 (A) | 7 | 2 | E (5) |
IntermediateThe stretch between the 7th and 9th frets across the top three strings requires independent finger control.
Asus2/E inversion
A suspended 2nd is played at the 4th fret as 4 4 5 ×: index finger on the G string at fret 4, middle finger on the C string at fret 4 and ring finger on the E string at fret 5. The A string stays muted.
Full note and interval breakdown
| String | Fret | Finger | Note |
|---|---|---|---|
| 4 (G) | 4 | 1 | B (2) |
| 3 (C) | 4 | 2 | E (5) |
| 2 (E) | 5 | 3 | A (1) |
| 1 (A) | muted | — | — |
Asus2/B inversion
A suspended 2nd is played at the 11th fret as × 11 12 12: index finger on the C string at fret 11, middle finger on the E string at fret 12 and ring finger on the A string at fret 12. The G string stays muted.
Full note and interval breakdown
| String | Fret | Finger | Note |
|---|---|---|---|
| 4 (G) | muted | — | — |
| 3 (C) | 11 | 1 | B (2) |
| 2 (E) | 12 | 2 | E (5) |
| 1 (A) | 12 | 3 | A (1) |
7th fret · 9-9-7-7
A suspended 2nd is played at the 7th fret as 9 9 7 7: ring finger on the G string at fret 9, pinky finger on the C string at fret 9, index finger on the E string at fret 7 and middle finger on the A string at fret 7.
Full note and interval breakdown
| String | Fret | Finger | Note |
|---|---|---|---|
| 4 (G) | 9 | 3 | E (5) |
| 3 (C) | 9 | 4 | A (1) |
| 2 (E) | 7 | 1 | B (2) |
| 1 (A) | 7 | 2 | E (5) |
Why it sounds like that
A suspended 2nd is built from the formula 1, 2, 5, replacing the major 3rd with a major 2nd. The major 2nd between A and B gives the chord its open, unresolved quality. Compare with A major, which uses C♯ instead of B.
What goes wrong with A suspended 2nd?
- Letting the G string ring out instead of muting it, which adds a note outside the chord.
- Flattening the index finger onto the C string, causing a buzz at the 9th fret.
- Pressing the middle finger too hard, pulling the A string sharp.
When to use it
A suspended 2nd works as a passing chord in A major, often between A major and D major in the I–IV–V–I progression. Its open sound suits folk, pop, and ambient textures where the 3rd is delayed or omitted.
Changing to and from A suspended 2nd
- Move to <a href="/ukulele/a-major-chord">A major</a> by lifting the middle finger from the A string and placing it on the 8th fret of the E string.
- Sliding the shape down two frets to the 5th fret gives <a href="/ukulele/g-sus2-chord">G suspended 2nd</a>.
Which voicing to use
The 7th-fret shape puts A in the bass and suits a bright, ringing voicing. The Asus2/B inversion at the 4th fret places B in the bass for a softer, less grounded sound.
Other A chords
Common questions
How is A suspended 2nd written?
A suspended 2nd is written as A or Asus2.
What is the difference between A suspended 2nd and A suspended 4th?
A suspended 2nd replaces the 3rd with B, while A suspended 4th replaces it with D. The sus2 sounds more open and airy; the sus4 has a stronger pull to resolve.
Why does the G string need to be muted?
The open G string is not a chord tone of A suspended 2nd. Muting it keeps the voicing clean and prevents an unwanted note from ringing.
Can A suspended 2nd be used in minor keys?
A suspended 2nd fits A natural minor because its notes A, B, and E are all in that scale. It can substitute for A minor to create a suspended feel.