Asus2 Chord: How to Play It and Enrich Your Sound

The Asus2 chord is one of the easiest chords on the guitar. It uses one fewer finger than a plain A, yet it sounds bright, open and modern. Its partner, Asus4, adds a gentle tension instead, which pulls back to A. Together, they turn a static A chord into something that moves.

What Is an Asus2 Chord?

A plain A major chord is built from three notes: A, C# and E. In an Asus2 chord, the C# is replaced by B, the second note of the A major scale. So Asus2 is built from A, B and E.

That C# is the third of the chord, and it’s the note that makes A sound major. Without it, Asus2 is neither major nor minor. Instead, it has an airy, ringing sound that works in both happy and sad songs.

What Is an Asus4 Chord?

Similarly, Asus4 replaces the C# with D, the fourth note of the scale. So it’s built from A, D and E.

The D sits just above the missing C#, so your ear wants it to fall back down. That’s why Asus4 sounds tense and usually moves straight back to A. Asus2, by contrast, is happy to rest for a whole bar.

Why They’re Called “Suspended”

“Sus” is short for suspended. In classical music, a note from one chord was held over, or suspended, into the next chord before it settled. Later, guitarists borrowed the name for any chord that swaps its third for the second or fourth. For the bigger picture, see our pillar guide to sus chords, add9s and maj7s.

How to Play the Asus2 Chord

All three chords grow from the open A shape. The strings below are listed from the thickest (low E) to the thinnest (high E). For each chord, don’t play the low E string.

Start With the Open A Chord

The open A shape code is x02220.

• Low E string: don’t play it.
• A string: open.
• D string: 2nd fret, index finger.
• G string: 2nd fret, middle finger.
• B string: 2nd fret, ring finger.
• High E string: open.

The Asus2 Chord Shape

The Asus2 shape code is x02200. From the A chord, just lift your ring finger off the B string and let it ring open.

• Low E string: don’t play it.
• A string: open.
• D string: 2nd fret, index finger.
• G string: 2nd fret, middle finger.
• B string: open.
• High E string: open.

That’s it. With just two fingers, the Asus2 chord still gives you a full, shimmering sound.

The Asus4 Chord Shape

The Asus4 shape code is x02230. Keep your index and middle fingers where they are. Then put your ring finger or pinky on the 3rd fret of the B string.

• Low E string: don’t play it.
• A string: open.
• D string: 2nd fret, index finger.
• G string: 2nd fret, middle finger.
• B string: 3rd fret, ring finger or pinky.
• High E string: open.

If you keep your ring finger on the 2nd fret and add your pinky on the 3rd, the change is even quicker. Since the pinky is higher up the neck, it’s the note that sounds.

The A, Asus4, A, Asus2 Move

This is the move that makes these chords so useful. Your index and middle fingers never leave the strings, so only the B string changes.

1. Strum A for two beats.
2. Add your pinky on the 3rd fret of the B string to make Asus4, and strum two beats.
3. Lift the pinky to return to A, and strum two beats.
4. Lift your ring finger to make Asus2, and strum two beats.
5. Put the ring finger back down for A, and start again.

Once that feels smooth, try changing mid-strum. For instance, hammer the pinky onto the B string right after you strum A. The chord moves without a new strum, which sounds much more musical.

Where the Move Fits a Progression

The move works best when a song stays on A for a bar or more. It keeps a long chord from sounding static, and it leaves room for the vocal.

It’s also a natural lead-in. In the key of D, A is the chord that leads home. So try Asus4, then A, then D, and listen to how strongly the last chord lands. The same idea works on D, with Dsus4 and Dsus2. Our guide to the Dsus4 chord shows that version.

From E Minor to the Asus2 Chord

Many beginners learn Em and the Asus2 chord as their very first pair of chords. That’s because the change between them is one of the simplest on the guitar.

The Em Shape

The Em shape code is 022000. Put your index finger on the 2nd fret of the A string. Next, add your middle finger on the 2nd fret of the D string. Then strum all six strings.

The Change

To move to the Asus2 chord, keep both fingers on the 2nd fret. Then shift each one over by one string, toward the floor. Your index finger lands on the D string, and your middle finger lands on the G string.

Finally, stop strumming the low E string. Practice the change slowly, four beats on each chord, and soon your fingers will move as a pair. Our guide to the first two guitar chords every beginner should learn covers this pair in more detail.

Common Asus2 Chord Mistakes

Most problems with these chords come from the open strings.

• Strumming the low E string. Its open E muddies the sound. Start your strum on the A string, so the lowest note is the root.
• Muting the B string. For Asus2, the B string must ring open. Arch your middle finger so it doesn’t lean on it.
• Moving too many fingers. Your index and middle fingers should stay planted through the whole move. Only the B string changes.
• Using it everywhere. Asus2 sounds great, but if every A becomes Asus2, the effect disappears. Instead, mix it with plain A.

Keep Going With Sus Chords

Next, try the same moves on D in our guide to the Dsus4 chord. If you’re new to these shapes, start with the first two guitar chords every beginner should learn.

For the full family of color chords, read our pillar guide to sus chords, add9s and maj7s. And keep our complete guitar chord chart handy for every plain shape.

View the “Ultimate Guitar Chord Chart” on TrueFire!Start →

Continue Learning

Explore the rest of this series:

• Sus Chords, Add9s and Maj7s: Guitar Chords That Make You Sound Pro
• The Cadd9 Chord: The Easiest Way to Sound Instantly Better
• The Cmaj7 Chord: A Warm, Dreamy Sound Made Easy
• The Dsus4 Chord (and Dsus2): Two Chords That Make D Interesting
• The Fmaj7 Guitar Chord: The Easy Way Around the Dreaded F