Also written Esus2 or E
E suspended 2nd is built from E, F♯, and B. The default grip uses a two-string barre at the 2nd fret, giving a bright, ringing sound.
The same three notes, with a different one in the bass.
E suspended 2nd uses the formula 1, 2, 5. The major 2nd between E and F♯ replaces the major 3rd, suspending the chord. Compare with E major, which has a major 3rd instead.
E suspended 2nd works as a substitute for E major in progressions like I–IV–V–I in E major (E–A–B–E). It suits rock and folk styles. Use it to add movement before resolving to E major.
The default voicing has E in the bass, giving a strong root position. For a more open sound, use the Open position with the open E string, which adds resonance.
E suspended 2nd is played at the 2nd fret as 4 4 2 2: barre your index finger across fret 2, middle finger on the G string at fret 4 and ring finger on the C string at fret 4.
Tip — The index finger must barre the E and A strings at the 2nd fret while the middle and ring fingers fret the 4th fret, requiring a clean partial barre.
| String | Fret | Finger | Note |
|---|---|---|---|
| 4 (G) | 4 | 2 | B (5) |
| 3 (C) | 4 | 3 | E (1) |
| 2 (E) | 2 | 1 (barre) | F♯ (2) |
| 1 (A) | 2 | 1 (barre) | B (5) |
E suspended 2nd is played in open position as 4 6 0 7: index finger on the G string at fret 4, middle finger on the C string at fret 6 and ring finger on the A string at fret 7. The E string rings open.
| String | Fret | Finger | Note |
|---|---|---|---|
| 4 (G) | 4 | 1 | B (5) |
| 3 (C) | 6 | 2 | F♯ (2) |
| 2 (E) | open | — | E (1) |
| 1 (A) | 7 | 3 | E (1) |
E suspended 2nd is played at the 4th fret as 4 6 7 7: index finger on the G string at fret 4, middle finger on the C string at fret 6, ring finger on the E string at fret 7 and pinky finger on the A string at fret 7.
| String | Fret | Finger | Note |
|---|---|---|---|
| 4 (G) | 4 | 1 | B (5) |
| 3 (C) | 6 | 2 | F♯ (2) |
| 2 (E) | 7 | 3 | B (5) |
| 1 (A) | 7 | 4 | E (1) |
E suspended 2nd is played at the 6th fret as × 6 7 7: index finger on the C string at fret 6, middle finger on the E string at fret 7 and ring finger on the A string at fret 7. The G string stays muted.
| String | Fret | Finger | Note |
|---|---|---|---|
| 4 (G) | muted | — | — |
| 3 (C) | 6 | 1 | F♯ (2) |
| 2 (E) | 7 | 2 | B (5) |
| 1 (A) | 7 | 3 | E (1) |
E suspended 2nd is played at the 11th fret as 11 11 12 ×: index finger on the G string at fret 11, middle finger on the C string at fret 11 and ring finger on the E string at fret 12. The A string stays muted.
| String | Fret | Finger | Note |
|---|---|---|---|
| 4 (G) | 11 | 1 | F♯ (2) |
| 3 (C) | 11 | 2 | B (5) |
| 2 (E) | 12 | 3 | E (1) |
| 1 (A) | muted | — | — |
E suspended 2nd is written as Esus2 or E.
Esus2 replaces the 3rd with a major 2nd (F♯), while Esus4 replaces it with a perfect 4th (A). Sus2 has a brighter, more open sound.
Yes, Esus2 can substitute for E major when you want to avoid the major 3rd. It creates tension that resolves when you return to the major chord.