Asus2 Chord on Guitar (A suspended second)
Asus2 is a suspended second chord with a open, airy and neither happy nor sad sound. It contains the notes A – B – E (root + major second + perfect fifth). Below you will find 3 ways to play it on guitar.
How to play Asus2
Position 1: x 0 2 2 0 0
- low E: don't play
- A: open
- D: fret 2
- G: fret 2
- B: open
- high E: open
Position 2: 5 7 9 9 5 5
- low E: fret 5
- A: fret 7
- D: fret 9
- G: fret 9
- B: fret 5
- high E: fret 5
Position 3: x x 7 9 10 7
- low E: don't play
- A: don't play
- D: fret 7
- G: fret 9
- B: fret 10
- high E: fret 7
The first shape is an open chord: it uses open strings, so it is the easiest way to play Asus2 and rings out the most. Strum only the strings that are not marked with an x.
Chord theory
In a suspended second chord, the third is replaced by the second. Without a third the chord is neither major nor minor, which gives it an open, unresolved sound.
Degrees: 1 = A, 2 = B, 5 = E
Using Asus2 in songs
Sus2 chords are popular in pop and rock as a colour change: play the regular chord, then lift or add a finger to get the sus2, and go back again.