Asus2

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A Suspended 2nd Arpeggio

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Formula R – 2 – 5

The A Suspended 2nd Arpeggio arpeggio outlines the notes A, B, E across the entire fretboard. Playing these 3 notes individually creates melodic lines that follow the chord shape.

The sus2 replaces the 3rd with a major 2nd, completely removing the major/minor identity. The result is an open, ethereal sound that is neither happy nor sad — just beautifully ambiguous.

Theory

Built from the root, major 2nd, and perfect 5th (R, 2, 5), the sus2 drops the 3rd entirely, leaving the chord hanging in tonal limbo. This ambiguity is what makes it so versatile — it can substitute for either major or minor without committing. Sus2 chords typically resolve upward to a major or minor chord, and they're often used to create movement around a static root note or to act as a mysterious tonic chord in major keys.

On the guitar

Dsus2 and Asus2 are among the easiest and most beautiful open chords on guitar — perfect beginner shapes that sound surprisingly sophisticated. These shapes can be moved across the fretboard using CAGED system barre forms. A fun trick: sus2 and sus4 of the same root are inversions of each other a 5th apart (Csus2 = Gsus4), so learning one gives you the other for free.

Advanced

Sus2 voicings work brilliantly as ambient pads when arpeggiated with reverb and delay. In the CAGED system, the D-shape and A-shape sus2 forms are the most practical movable voicings. Try using sus2 as a substitute for the I chord to open a song with mystery, or alternate between sus2 and the resolved major/minor for subtle harmonic motion without changing the root.

Piano