Absus2: guitar chord voicings, inversions, scales and arpeggios

Absus2 (sus2) is an interactive GuitarArcanum page with chord formula, intervals, voicings, inversions, triads, pentatonic patterns, scales and arpeggios on the fretboard.

Chord formula

Interval formula: 1 2 5. A triad with a major 2nd in place of the 3rd. Neither major nor minor — an open, ringing, neutral sound.

Chord tones

The 2nd replaces the 3rd, so the chord has no quality. The root and 5th give the foundation; the 2nd gives the openness.

Sound character

Open, ringing and neutral — common in pop and rock rhythm playing, often on open strings.

Harmonic function

A suspension or a color. It can resolve the 2nd to the 3rd, or stay as an open chord in its own right.

Typical progressions

  • Bbsus2 – Bb
  • Fsus2 – F – Fsus4
  • Absus2 – Eb – Bb

Guitar voicing advice

Often an open chord on guitar, e.g. Dsus2 = xx0230 or Asus2 = x02200. Let the 2nd ring.

Compatible scales for Absus2

Other chord qualities on the Ab root

Compare this chord with other qualities sharing the same root.