The A♭ Suspended 2nd chord is a three-note chord made up of A♭, B♭, and E♭. It is built from a root, major second, and perfect fifth.
Construction
A♭ Suspended 2nd = Root + Major 2nd + Perfect 5th = A♭ · B♭ · E♭
| Note | Interval | Degree |
|---|---|---|
| A♭ | Root | 1 |
| B♭ | Major 2nd | 2 |
| E♭ | Perfect 5th | 5 |
A♭ Suspended 2nd Inversions
| Position | Notes |
|---|---|
| Root Position | A♭ – B♭ – E♭ |
| 1st Inversion | B♭ – E♭ – A♭ |
| 2nd Inversion | E♭ – A♭ – B♭ |
Key Signature
A Suspended 2nd chord is built from symmetrical or ambiguous intervals, so it doesn’t belong to a single key and has no key signature of its own.
Same Notes, Other Names
The notes A♭ – B♭ – E♭ aren’t exclusive to this chord. Depending on which note is the bass and how the chord functions, the same pitches also spell:
A♭ Suspended 2nd — Frequently Asked Questions
What is the A♭ Suspended 2nd chord on piano?
The A♭ Suspended 2nd chord contains the notes A♭ – B♭ – E♭. On piano, play these notes together to sound the chord.
What notes are in the Ab Suspended 2nd chord?
The Ab Suspended 2nd chord (Absus2) contains: Ab (root), Bb (major 2nd), and Eb (perfect fifth). The major 2nd replaces the third entirely — there is no major or minor third, giving this chord its open, floating quality.
How does Ab Suspended 2nd differ from Ab Major or Ab Minor?
Both Ab Major and Ab Minor have a third (E or Eb for C-based chords). Ab Suspended 2nd replaces that third with a major 2nd (Bb). This suspension creates ambiguity — the chord is neither major nor minor and has a bright, airy sound often used for colour and transition.
What does "suspended" mean in music?
"Suspended" means the third has been replaced (suspended) by another note — in this case, the 2nd degree. The suspension creates tension that traditionally resolves back to the third (moving from Bb to the major or minor third). In pop music, suspended chords often remain unresolved for their pleasant, neutral sound.
How is Ab Suspended 2nd used in music?
Sus2 chords are widely used in pop, rock, and folk as colour chords that avoid defining major or minor quality. Absus2 works before or after a Ab Major chord in the same harmonic context, creating a shimmer effect. It also appears at phrase endings for an open, unresolved feeling.
What songs use suspended 2nd chords?
Suspended chords are everywhere in pop: Every Breath You Take (Police) uses sus chords throughout. Pinball Wizard (The Who) opens with sus4 chords. Somebody That I Used to Know (Gotye) uses sus2 for its characteristically open sound. The floating quality of sus2 chords suits introspective and atmospheric music.
Can I use Ab Suspended 2nd and Ab Major together?
Yes — alternating between Absus2 and Ab Major is a very common pop technique. The movement Ab–Bb–Eb → Ab–(major 3rd)–Eb creates a shimmer with only one note changing. This single-note movement is the basis of many recognisable piano and guitar parts.