A suspended second chord (Asus2)
The A suspended second chord (Asus2) is a suspended chord: A, B and E (root, major second and perfect fifth). It has no third, so it is neither major nor minor.
It is the Isus2 in A major and the IVsus2 in E major, and it usually resolves to the major or minor chord on the same root.
Below: voicings, notes on the fretboard, ukulele, piano, inversions and progressions.
How to play A suspended second on guitar
There are 2 guitar voicings.
Frets from the 6th string to the 1st: x = not played, 0 = open string.
- Voicing 1: x-0-2-2-0-0, open position, with A in the bass (fingers x-0-2-3-0-0).
- Voicing 2: x-12-14-14-12-12, movable A-shape barre chord at fret 12, with A in the bass.
Notes of the A suspended second chord on the fretboard
A suspended second has 3 notes: A, B and E. This is where they fall on each string, from the nut to the 12th fret (fret number in parentheses):
- String 6 (E): E (0) · A (5) · B (7) · E (12)
- String 5 (A): A (0) · B (2) · E (7) · A (12)
- String 4 (D): E (2) · A (7) · B (9)
- String 3 (G): A (2) · B (4) · E (9)
- String 2 (B): B (0) · E (5) · A (10) · B (12)
- String 1 (E): E (0) · A (5) · B (7) · E (12)
Formula and intervals of A suspended second
Its formula is 1-2-5; in semitones from the root, 0-2-7.
- A: Root, the note that gives the chord its name
- B: Major second (M2), 2 semitones above A
- E: Perfect fifth (P5), 7 semitones above A
A suspended second on ukulele
- Ukulele (G C E A): 4-4-0-0; it sounds B, E, E and A.
A suspended second on piano
- Keys: A4, B4 and E5.
Inversions of A suspended second
Each inversion puts a different note in the bass.
- Root position: A, B and E, with A in the bass.
- First inversion (Asus2/B): B, E and A, with B in the bass.
- Second inversion (Asus2/E): E, A and B, with E in the bass.
Keys that use A suspended second
A suspended second appears in 10 major and minor keys.
| Key | Degree | Function |
|---|---|---|
| A major (3 sharps) | Isus2 | Tonic |
| G major (1 sharp) | IIsus2 | Supertonic |
| E major (4 sharps) | IVsus2 | Subdominant |
| D major (2 sharps) | Vsus2 | Dominant |
| C major (no sharps or flats) | VIsus2 | Submediant |
| A minor (no sharps or flats) | Isus2 | Tonic |
| F♯ minor (3 sharps) | IIIsus2 | Mediant |
| E minor (1 sharp) | IVsus2 | Subdominant |
| C♯ minor (4 sharps) | VIsus2 | Submediant |
| B minor (2 sharps) | VIIsus2 | Subtonic |
Progressions with A suspended second
- Sus2 resolution in A major (Isus2–I): Asus2 – A
Frequently asked questions
What notes are in the A suspended second chord?
A, B and E: root, major second and perfect fifth. Its formula is 1-2-5.
Which keys use A suspended second?
Mainly as the Isus2 in A major and the IVsus2 in E major. In total it appears in 10 major and minor keys.
What does “sus” mean in A suspended second?
That the chord is suspended: the third is replaced by another note, leaving A, B and E (root, major second and perfect fifth). Without a third, it can move to either the major or the minor triad on the same root.