A Suspended 2nd
Hear the A Suspended 2nd chord played for you.
Asus2
A – B – E
Formula:R-M2-P5
Intervals:P1-M2-P5
Scale Degrees:1-2-5
Introduction
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.
The A Suspended 2nd piano chord (Asus2) consists of the notes A, B, E. It is a chord where the third is suspended and replaced by the major second, giving it a open, ambiguous, and floating character with no major or minor quality. Formula: R-M2-P5 | Scale degrees: 1-2-5.
Notes
A Suspended 2nd Inversions
| Position | Notes |
|---|---|
| Root Position | A – B – E |
| 1st Inversion | B – E – A |
| 2nd Inversion | E – A – B |
Key Signature
The key of A Suspended 2nd has 3 sharps.
F♯C♯G♯
Order of sharps
Sharps are added to a key signature in a fixed order. Each new sharp key adds the next sharp on the list.
F♯C♯G♯D♯A♯E♯B♯
Mnemonic: Father Charles Goes Down And Ends Battle
Chords in the Key of A Major
These are the diatonic triads built on each degree of the A major scale:
C
D
E
F
G
A
B
C
D
E
F
G
A
B
I — A Major (major)
Theory: Intervals
Formula: R-M2-P5
Intervals: P1-M2-P5
The A Suspended 2nd is built by stacking intervals from the root note. The formula R-M2-P5 describes the scale degrees used. The intervals P1-M2-P5 show the distance between each note in the chord.
A Suspended 2nd — Frequently Asked Questions
What notes are in the A Suspended 2nd chord?
The A Suspended 2nd chord (Asus2) contains: A (root), B (major 2nd), and E (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 A Suspended 2nd differ from A Major or A Minor?
Both A Major and A Minor have a third (E or Eb for C-based chords). A Suspended 2nd replaces that third with a major 2nd (B). 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 B to the major or minor third). In pop music, suspended chords often remain unresolved for their pleasant, neutral sound.
How is A 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. Asus2 works before or after a A 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 A Suspended 2nd and A Major together?
Yes — alternating between Asus2 and A Major is a very common pop technique. The movement A–B–E → A–(major 3rd)–E creates a shimmer with only one note changing. This single-note movement is the basis of many recognisable piano and guitar parts.
Practice Tips
- Compare Asus2 (A B E) with A Major — only the middle note changes. Play them alternately to hear the shimmer effect.
- The 2nd degree (B) in a sus2 chord creates a floating, unresolved quality. Let it breathe before resolving to the major chord.
- Try Asus2 → A Major → Asus4 → A Major as a loop — this classic suspended movement underpins countless pop songs.
- Sus2 chords work well at the beginning or end of phrases to create an open, questioning feeling before resolution.
- Practice moving from Asus2 to nearby chords: → A Major, → A minor, → IV Major. Feel how each resolution changes the mood.
- In a ballad context, sustain Asus2 for a full measure before resolving — the sustained suspension creates emotional weight.
Related Tools
Chord FinderLook up any chord — see the notes, hear it, and play along.Chord DrillTimed drills to build speed and recognition across all chord types.Practice RoomPlug in a MIDI keyboard and get real-time feedback on every chord and scale.Circle of FifthsVisualize key relationships, relative minors, and key signatures.MIDI MonitorLive MIDI message stream with note names, velocity, and a scrolling staff.