Asus2 chord
Asus2 is A, B and E: 1–2–5 built on A. Below: guitar, piano and ukulele, each playable.
On guitar
x-0-2-2-0-0 · open · easy
- Notes
- A · B · E
- Formula
- 1 · 2 · 5
- First shape
- x-0-2-2-0-0
Asus2 on guitar: every shape, finger by finger
On piano
root position · A–B–E · right hand 1-3-5
- Notes
- A · B · E
- Formula
- 1 · 2 · 5
Asus2 on piano: fingering and inversions
On ukulele
4-4-0-0 · open · easy
- Notes
- A · B · E
- Formula
- 1 · 2 · 5
- First shape
- 4-4-0-0
Where Asus2 usually goes next
Three changes cover most of what Asus2 does in songs.
- Asus2 → A (resolves up to the third)
Guitar: Asus2 (x-0-2-2-0-0) to A (x-0-2-2-2-0): your index and middle fingers stay put, the ring finger comes down on the B string, 2nd fret. An easy one to get up to speed. The two chords share A and E, which is why the change sounds smooth.
Piano: Asus2 to A: play A in root position (A–C♯–E) and A and E stay under the same fingers, while B moves up to C♯. A - Asus2 → D (IV in A major)
Guitar: Asus2 (x-0-2-2-0-0) to D (x-x-0-2-3-2): the index finger slides across to the G string at the same fret, move the middle finger to the high E string, 2nd fret, the ring finger comes down on the B string, 3rd fret. Everything moves: lift the whole hand and place the new shape in one go. A carries over from one chord to the other.
Piano: Asus2 to D: play D in 2nd inversion (A–D–F♯) and A stays under the same finger, while B moves up to D and E up to F♯. D - Asus2 → E (V in A major)
Guitar: Asus2 (x-0-2-2-0-0) to E (0-2-2-1-0-0): your index finger lands on the G string, 1st fret, your middle finger lands on the A string, 2nd fret, the ring finger comes down on the D string, 2nd fret. Nothing carries over, so drill it slowly, lifting and landing all fingers at once. The two chords share B and E, which is why the change sounds smooth.
Piano: Asus2 to E: play E in 1st inversion (G♯–B–E) and B and E stay under the same fingers, while A moves down to G♯. E
Guitar with a capo: capo 7, Dsus2 shape. Ukulele with a capo: capo 2, Gsus2 shape; capo 7, Dsus2 shape.
How Asus2 is built
Asus2 replaces the third with the second, so it is neither major nor minor. It sounds open and airy, and it often resolves to A or Am, or simply rings as a color of its own.
Count keys (black and white) from A: 2 half steps up to B then 5 half steps up to E.
| Note | Role | Half steps | Hear it |
|---|---|---|---|
| A | root | 0 | |
| B | major second | 2 | |
| E | perfect fifth | 7 |
Keys and progressions with Asus2
Asus2 isn't a chord of any major or natural minor key, so it usually appears as a passing or borrowed chord.
Chords close to Asus2
- Asus2 and A differ by one note: B in Asus2, C♯ in A. They share A and E. A
- Asus2 and Asus4 differ by one note: B in Asus2, D in Asus4. They share A and E. Asus4
Chords that share most of their notes with Asus2: Esus4, Aadd9, A9, Dsus2, E, Em.
Every A chord
Asus2 chord: questions
What notes are in the Asus2 chord?
A, B and E. Asus2 is built 1–2–5 from A: B is the major second and E is the perfect fifth.
How do you play Asus2 on guitar?
The usual shape is x-0-2-2-0-0 (open). All 3 guitar shapes.
How do you play Asus2 on piano?
Play A, B and E with right-hand fingers 1-3-5. A sits between the last two black keys of the three. Inversions and left hand.
How do you play Asus2 on ukulele?
4-4-0-0 in standard GCEA tuning. More ukulele shapes.
What key is Asus2 in?
Asus2 isn't a chord of any major or natural minor key, so it usually appears as a passing or borrowed chord.
What's the difference between Asus2 and A?
Asus2 and A differ by one note: B in Asus2, C♯ in A. They share A and E.
Every diagram on this page is generated from the notes A, B and E and checked automatically so the sound matches the drawing. Updated September 2026.