A Suspended 2nd Chord
Chord Tones: A Suspended 2nd Chord
Symbol: sus2 — Formula: 1-2-5
| Degree | Note | Frequency (A=440, Equal) |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | A | 440.000 Hz |
| 2 | B | 493.883 Hz |
| 5 | E | 329.628 Hz |
Chord Notation
| Notation Type | Symbol / Value |
|---|---|
| Lead Sheet Symbol | Asus2 |
| All Common Symbols | sus2 |
| Interval Formula | 1-2-5 |
| Harmonic Category | open |
Roman numeral (e.g. I, IV, V) and Nashville Number notation are key-dependent. See Keys pages for chord function within specific keys.
Inversions
| Inversion | Notes (low to high) | Bass Note | Slash Notation |
|---|---|---|---|
| Root Position | A – B – E | A | A Suspended 2nd Chord |
| First Inversion | B – E – A | B | A Suspended 2nd Chord/B |
| Second Inversion | E – A – B | E | A Suspended 2nd Chord/E |
Harmonic Function
The A sus2 chord commonly functions as the submediant (vi) in C major or dominant (V) in D major. Its harmonic role varies by key — in major keys it provides stable harmonic grounding.
The sus2 chord replaces the third with a major second, creating an open, ambiguous sound with no major or minor quality. It is widely used in rock and pop for its airy, unresolved character.
Common Progressions
The A Suspended 2nd Chord frequently appears in these progression patterns (shown in Roman numeral notation relative to key):
Vsus2-V-I
Songs Featuring the Suspended 2nd Chord
Well-known songs where the A Suspended 2nd Chord — or this chord type — plays a prominent role:
- Pinball Wizard – The Who
- She Talks to Angels – Black Crowes
- Waiting for the World to Change – John Mayer
Tuning Frequencies Across Temperaments
Frequencies shown at A=440 Hz. View full temperament data for any note.
| Note | Equal Temp. | Pythagorean | Just Intonation |
|---|---|---|---|
| A | 440.000 Hz | 440.000 Hz | 436.043 Hz |
| B | 493.883 Hz | 495.000 Hz | 490.548 Hz |
| E | 329.628 Hz | 330.001 Hz | 327.032 Hz |
Scales Containing the A Suspended 2nd Chord
These scales include the A Suspended 2nd Chord as a diatonic or characteristic chord: