Asus2 chord on guitar

Asus2 is A, B and E. The easiest shape is x-0-2-2-0-0. Play it once at full speed, then at a quarter to hear every note.

x-0-2-2-0-0 · open · easy

Notes: A · B · E
Formula: 1 · 2 · 5
First shape: x-0-2-2-0-0

How to play Asus2 on guitar

Shape 1, x-0-2-2-0-0, reading from the low E string on the left:

Index finger: D string, 2nd fret (E).
Middle finger: G string, 2nd fret (A).
Let the open A, B and high E strings ring (A, B and E).
Don't play the low E string: start your strum on the A string.

If an open string sounds dead, a fingertip is leaning on it. Come down more on the tips, with your knuckles bent.

Other ways to play Asus2

x-12-14-14-12-12: barre shape at the 12th fret, medium. The root is on the A string; it's the Asus2 shape moved up the neck.
x-x-7-9-10-7: movable shape at the 7th fret, medium. Fewer strings, so it sounds lighter and is quicker to change to.

Playing Asus2 with a capo

With a capo you can skip the harder shapes: capo on the 7th fret and play the open Dsus2 shape (x-x-0-2-3-0). Everything above the capo is fingered exactly like the open chord.

Asus2 chord changes

These are the changes you'll meet most often with Asus2, using the first shape of each chord.

A (resolves up to the third): 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. A on guitar
D (IV in A major): 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. D on guitar
E (V in A major): 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. E on guitar

Asus2 replaces the third with the second, so it is neither major nor minor. The open second in Asus2 usually rises to the third, so play Asus2 then A and listen for it to settle. On guitar you hear it best picked slowly, string by string.

Getting Asus2 under your fingers

Before strumming, play x-0-2-2-0-0 note by note: A then E then A then B then E. A dead note tells you exactly which finger to fix. Then switch to x-12-14-14-12-12 and back four times without looking at your hand.

Asus2 in context

Asus2 on piano and ukulele

The same notes on another instrument: Asus2 on piano and Asus2 on ukulele. This page puts all three side by side.

Next to try on guitar

Other suspended second chords

Asus2 on guitar: questions

What notes are in Asus2 on guitar?

A, B and E. In the x-0-2-2-0-0 shape the strings play A (A string, open), E (D string), A (G string), B (B string, open) and E (high E string, open), so A and E are doubled.

What's the easiest way to play Asus2 on guitar?

x-0-2-2-0-0, shape 1 above. It uses open strings, so there is no barre to press.

Is Asus2 a barre chord on guitar?

Not usually: x-0-2-2-0-0 needs no barre. The barre versions come later, higher on the neck.

Which string does Asus2 start on?

In the x-0-2-2-0-0 shape the lowest string you play is the A string, open, which is A, the root. Skip the low E string.

Every shape above plays only A, B and E, checked by the site's tests. Updated September 2026.