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Suspended 2nd Chords on Piano

The sus2 chord replaces the third with a major second — creating an open, ambiguous sound that is neither major nor minor. Sus2 chords are widely used in pop, rock, ambient, and film music for their ethereal, unresolved quality.

Formula: Root – Major 2nd – Perfect 5th
Intervals: 2 + 5 semitones
Scale degrees: 1–2–5
Sound: Open, ambiguous, ethereal, spacious
Symbol: sus2 (Csus2, Dsus2 etc.)

Sus2 vs Sus4: Both replace the third. Sus2 lowers it to the 2nd (open, modern sound). Sus4 raises it to the 4th (tenser, wants to resolve down). Sus2 tends to sound more contemporary; sus4 is more classical. Both are neither major nor minor.

Suspended 2nd Chord in All 18 Keys