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The Asus2 (or A suspended 2nd) chord, is easy to play, but has a sound that’s hard to pin down. This is attributed to the fact that a suspended chord can often be used in place of major or minor chords with the same root note.
In this instance, the Asus2 chord has the root note of A. This chord can be used in place of an A chord or an A minor chord. It will sound a little different from a traditional A or A minor chord, but these suspended second chords can add an unexpected, yet welcome twist to a chord sequence when used for effect.
Sometimes, more traditional chord progressions don’t always sound right, even though they’re being played “by the book” in terms of music theory. The Asus2 is an option that allows you to “riff” a little on a more established chord and to tweak the chord so that it may work even better within a certain song or progression. Let’s learn more about this chord and how to play it.
Playing the Asus2 Chord
As mentioned before, the Asus2 doesn’t quite have the brightness of an A chord, or the glum tone of an Am. It’s somewhere in between.
The most common (and easiest) way to play the Asus2 chord involves only two fingers. Simply place your index finger on the second fret of the D string. Then, place your middle finger on the second fret of the G string. Strum five strings down from the A string. The result is a full-sounding Asus2 chord that has weight and heft to it, despite being relatively simple to play.
Index finger: 2nd fret of the D (4th) string
Middle finger: 2nd fret of the G (3rd) string
Strum five strings down from the A string
What Notes Make Up the Asus2 Chord?
Three notes make up the Asus2 Chord:
A, B, and E
The Asus2 chord follows the standard pattern for crafting a suspended second chord:
A root note
The 2nd note of the root note’s scale
The 5th note of the root note’s scale
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Songs That Use the Asus2 Chord
The Asus2 chord makes a statement whenever it’s used. It doesn’t sound “happy,” but it doesn’t sound “sad,” either. And it certainly doesn’t feel “meh” when you hear it. Rather, it evokes feelings of reflection that can go in either a positive or negative direction. You can hear this chord in a variety of genres in some recognizable songs. Take a listen and start playing the Asus2 for yourself!
Rock Songs
Indicative of the wistful, but slightly angsty sound of the Asus2, Nickelback’s “How You Remind Me” features the chord on this anthem to questioning yourself after a romance sours.
In a similar vein, the Rolling Stones’ all-time classic (and words to live by) “You Can’t Always Get What You Want” uses the Asus2 chord to illustrate the power and pain of reflection, while trying to find a shred of hope in the wreckage.
Mr. Mister uses the Asus2 chord in their 1985 hit, “Broken Wings.” It adds an unexpected edge to the introspective ballad.
The Asus2 is used in more upbeat ways, as part of Bad Company’s “Rock n’ Roll Fantasy” and on “Interstate Love Song” by Stone Temple Pilots. You can hear the chord’s not-quite-major, not-quite-minor tones used to their fullest on these two uptempo tunes.
Pop Songs
Think back to any ‘80s prom or school dance. Even if you weren’t around then to experience the magic of puffy sleeves and crimped hair, “Your Love” by the Outfield exemplifies a cheery ballad that you would have heard while dancing in the gym. Since its original 1985 release, the song has been covered by a diverse range of artists including Wyclef Jean, Katy Perry and metalcore/electronica band I See Stars. It’s also been re-worked by The Outfield themselves as part of a fabric softener commercial.
While ‘80s pop is typically thought of as chipper and bouncy, the music behind Suzanne Vega’s “Luka” offers an acoustic buoyancy that contradicts its somber message about child abuse. The Asus2 chord provides that bridge between innocence and innocence lost.
Country Songs
Listen for the Asus2 chord on Blake Shelton’s wistful “Came Here to Forget,” which looks back on a breakup and looks forward to a rebound. The chord works perfectly in this song to capture shrugging away feelings of regret and shaking them off just enough to live in the moment.
Folk Songs
“9 Crimes,” a modern folk masterpiece by Damien Rice, uses the Asus2 to heighten the emotion in this slow, ethereal duet. The chord punctuates the sparse instrumental soundscape, leaning towards the sadder end of the Asus2’s sonic spectrum of versatility.
Now that you’ve heard how the Asus2 chord can be used in a variety of ways and know how it’s constructed, play around with it on your own and learn to master this easy-to-play chord.
If you'd like to learn how to play even more chords, take a look at Fender Play's chord library. And if you're not a member yet, sign up for a free Fender Play trial.
