Esus2 chord
Esus2 is E, F♯ and B: 1–2–5 built on E. See and hear it on all three instruments below.
On guitar
0-2-4-4-0-0 · open · easy
- Notes
- E · F♯ · B
- Formula
- 1 · 2 · 5
- First shape
- 0-2-4-4-0-0
Esus2 on guitar: every shape, finger by finger
On piano
root position · E–F♯–B · right hand 1-3-5
- Notes
- E · F♯ · B
- Formula
- 1 · 2 · 5
Esus2 on piano: fingering and inversions
On ukulele
4-4-2-2 · movable · medium
- Notes
- E · F♯ · B
- Formula
- 1 · 2 · 5
- First shape
- 4-4-2-2
Changing out of Esus2
The moves below are the ones you'll meet most, shown for guitar and piano.
- Esus2 → E (resolves up to the third)
Guitar: Esus2 (0-2-4-4-0-0) to E (0-2-2-1-0-0): the index finger goes to the G string, 1st fret, the middle finger goes to the A string, 2nd fret, move the ring finger to the D string, 2nd fret. No finger can stay, so practice lifting all of them together and landing the new shape as a unit. The two chords share E and B, which is why the change sounds smooth.
Piano: Esus2 to E: play E in root position (E–G♯–B) and E and B stay under the same fingers, while F♯ moves up to G♯. E - Esus2 → A (IV in E major)
Guitar: Esus2 (0-2-4-4-0-0) to A (x-0-2-2-2-0): the index finger slides across to the D string at the same fret, move the middle finger to the G string, 2nd fret, your ring finger lands on the B string, 2nd fret. No finger can stay, so practice lifting all of them together and landing the new shape as a unit. The two chords share E, which is why the change sounds smooth.
Piano: Esus2 to A: play A in 2nd inversion (E–A–C♯) and E stays under the same finger, while F♯ moves up to A and B up to C♯. A - Esus2 → B (V in E major)
Guitar: Esus2 (0-2-4-4-0-0) to B (x-2-4-4-4-2): your middle and ring fingers stay put, the index finger lays across the A to high E strings at the 2nd fret, the pinky finger comes down on the B string, 4th fret. Listen for F♯ and B, which stay put while the rest moves.
Piano: Esus2 to B: play B in 1st inversion (D♯–F♯–B) and F♯ and B stay under the same fingers, while E moves down to D♯. B
Guitar with a capo: capo 2, Dsus2 shape; capo 4, Csus2 shape; capo 7, Asus2 shape. Ukulele with a capo: capo 2, Dsus2 shape; capo 4, Csus2 shape.
How Esus2 is built
Esus2 replaces the third with the second, so it is neither major nor minor. It sounds open and airy, and it often resolves to E or Em, or simply rings as a color of its own.
Start on E, count 2 half steps up to F♯ then 5 half steps up to B.
| Note | Role | Half steps | Hear it |
|---|---|---|---|
| E | root | 0 | |
| F♯ | major second | 2 | |
| B | perfect fifth | 7 |
Keys and progressions with Esus2
Esus2 sits outside the seven chords of every major and natural minor key, so expect it as a color or passing chord.
Chords close to Esus2
- Esus2 and E differ by one note: F♯ in Esus2, G♯ in E. They share E and B. E
- Esus2 and Esus4 differ by one note: F♯ in Esus2, A in Esus4. They share E and B. Esus4
Chords that share most of their notes with Esus2: Bsus4, Eadd9, E9, E, Em, Esus4.
Every E chord
Esus2 chord: questions
What notes are in the Esus2 chord?
E, F♯ and B. Esus2 is built 1–2–5 from E: F♯ is the major second and B is the perfect fifth.
How do you play Esus2 on guitar?
The usual shape is 0-2-4-4-0-0 (open). All 3 guitar shapes.
How do you play Esus2 on piano?
Play E, F♯ and B with right-hand fingers 1-3-5. E sits just right of the pair of black keys. Inversions and left hand.
How do you play Esus2 on ukulele?
4-4-2-2 in standard GCEA tuning. More ukulele shapes.
What key is Esus2 in?
Esus2 sits outside the seven chords of every major and natural minor key, so expect it as a color or passing chord.
What's the difference between Esus2 and E?
Esus2 and E differ by one note: F♯ in Esus2, G♯ in E. They share E and B.
All three instruments are drawn and played from E, F♯ and B by the same engine. Updated September 2026.