BeginnerSuspended 2nd

Esus2 Chord

The Esus2 is a suspended 2nd chord that sounds open, floating, and contemplative. Sus2 chords replace the third with a second, creating an ambiguous, open sound that works in both major and minor contexts. Popular in ambient, folk, and modern pop.

Notes:ERoot (1)F#Major 2nd (2)BPerfect 5th (5)

Open Position

Esus2342

Chord Diagrams

Open Position

Uses a barre chord technique

Esus2342

Barre Shape — Fret 7

Uses a barre chord technique

Esus27fr12341

How to Play Esus2

Follow these steps for the open position fingering:

Barre technique: Press your index finger flat across all strings at fret 0 to form the barre, then add the remaining fingers on top.
#StringInstructionNote
1Low E (6th string)Open — play the open stringE
2A (5th string)Fret 2 with your ring fingerF#
3D (4th string)Fret 2 with your pinky fingerB
4G (3rd string)Fret 1 with your middle fingerE
5B (2nd string)Open — play the open stringF#
6High E (1st string)Open — play the open stringB

= Open string (no fingers needed)

= Muted string (don't play)

= Press your finger down firmly just behind the fret

Notes in Esus2

The Esus2 chord is built from 3 distinct notes, each serving a harmonic role:

E
Root (1)
The root — gives the chord its name
F#
Major 2nd (2)
The major 2nd — creates the open, floating quality
B
Perfect 5th (5)
The fifth — adds power and stability

Other E Chords

Explore other chord types built on the same root note:

Practice with AI

Get a personalized practice session focused on Esus2 and the chords that pair with it.

Start Practicing

Explore on Fretboard

See where Esus2 appears across the entire guitar neck in our interactive explorer.

Open Fretboard