The short version
- A♭sus2 is A flat suspended second, also written G♯sus2. Its notes are A♭, B♭ and E♭ (formula 1 – 2 – 5).
- Easiest way to play it: a barre on the 11th fret, frets x 11 13 13 11 11 from low E to high E (x = don’t play).
- It sounds open, airy, undecided. Use it in place of a major or minor chord when you want space, or rock between the sus2 and the full chord for movement.
- A♭sus2 turns up in 10 keys: B major (as the VIsus2), F♯ major (as the IIsus2), D♭ major (as the Vsus2), A♭ major (as the Isus2) and E♭ major (as the IVsus2), and more in the table below.
- Can’t barre yet? Capo 1 and play an open Gsus2 shape.
How to play A♭sus2 on guitar, step by step
Start with the shape marked “Start here” above: the barre chord, root on the 5th string (11th fret).
- Lay your index finger flat across fret 11, from the 5th (A) string to the 1st (high E) string. That’s the barre: press near the fret wire and roll the finger slightly onto its side.
- Put your middle finger on fret 13 of the 4th (D) string.
- Put your ring finger on fret 13 of the 3rd (G) string.
- Don’t play the low E string: skip it, or touch it lightly with a spare finger so it can’t ring.
- Strum from the 5th (A) string down, then press Strum on this page to check it sounds the same.
Once that’s comfy, try the other shape. Shape 2 is the barre chord, root on the 6th string (4th fret): 4 6 8 8 4 4. Same chord, different spot on the neck, which helps when the next chord lives nearby.
No barre? No problem. Pop a capo on the 1st fret and play the open Gsus2 shape: it comes out as A♭sus2. (Capo 3 with an open Fsus2 shape works too.) Barre chords take everyone a few weeks. Mine sounded like a kettle for a month.
Notes in the A♭sus2 chord
A♭sus2 is built from 3 notes. On guitar you’ll often play some of them twice, on different strings. That’s normal; the chord is still A♭sus2.
| Note | Interval | What it does |
|---|---|---|
| A♭ | 1 root | Names the chord and anchors the bass. |
| B♭ | 2 major second | Replaces the third: open and airy. |
| E♭ | 5 perfect fifth | Adds weight; often the first note left out. |
What A♭sus2 sounds like, and when to use it
The third is swapped for the second, so the chord refuses to pick a side between happy and sad. Open, shimmery and very “indie band intro”. Use it in place of a major or minor chord when you want space, or rock between the sus2 and the full chord for movement.
What key is A♭sus2 in?
A♭sus2 turns up in 10 keys: B major (as the VIsus2), F♯ major (as the IIsus2), D♭ major (as the Vsus2), A♭ major (as the Isus2) and E♭ major (as the IVsus2), and more in the table below. Tap a key to see the rest of its chords on the circle of fifths.
| Key | Numeral | Spelled as |
|---|---|---|
| B major | VIsus2 | G♯sus2 |
| F♯ major | IIsus2 | G♯sus2 |
| D♭ major | Vsus2 | A♭sus2 |
| A♭ major | Isus2 | A♭sus2 |
| E♭ major | IVsus2 | A♭sus2 |
| G♯ minor | Isus2 | G♯sus2 |
| E♭ minor | IVsus2 | A♭sus2 |
| B♭ minor | VIIsus2 | A♭sus2 |
| F minor | IIIsus2 | A♭sus2 |
| C minor | VIsus2 | A♭sus2 |
Chords that go with A♭sus2
Here’s a progression to try: A♭sus2 – D♭sus2 – Fm – E♭ (Isus2–IVsus2–vi–V), airy indie-pop with a proper landing.
More progressions → Transpose it →
Using A♭sus2 in a Suno prompt
Suno pays attention to chord names in a style prompt, at least some of the time. Put the progression in, keep the BPM, and let it fill in the rest. Then compare its guitar part with the shapes above.
Indie pop, 112 BPM, chord progression A♭sus2 – D♭sus2 – Fm – E♭, shimmering sus2 guitar chords, chorus pedal, airy synth pads, breathy vocals, open and hopeful
A♭sus2 chord FAQ
What notes are in the Absus2 chord?
A♭sus2 has 3 notes: A♭ (the root), B♭ (the major second) and E♭ (the perfect fifth). The chord formula is 1 – 2 – 5.
How do you play Absus2 on guitar?
The medium way is barre chord, root on the 5th string (11th fret). Strings from low E to high E: x 11 13 13 11 11 (x means don’t play that string). Lay your index finger flat across fret 11, from the 5th (A) string to the 1st (high E) string. That’s the barre: press near the fret wire and roll the finger slightly onto its side. Put your middle finger on fret 13 of the 4th (D) string. Put your ring finger on fret 13 of the 3rd (G) string. Don’t play the low E string: skip it, or touch it lightly with a spare finger so it can’t ring.
Is Absus2 the same as G#sus2?
Yes. A♭sus2 and G♯sus2 are the same chord with the same fingering. They are just spelled differently. You’ll see G♯sus2 in sharp keys and A♭sus2 in flat keys.
What key is Absus2 in?
A♭sus2 turns up in 10 keys: B major (as the VIsus2), F♯ major (as the IIsus2), D♭ major (as the Vsus2), A♭ major (as the Isus2) and E♭ major (as the IVsus2), and more in the table below. Major keys: B major, F♯ major, D♭ major, A♭ major, E♭ major. Minor keys: G♯ minor, E♭ minor, B♭ minor, F minor, C minor.
What is the difference between Absus2 and Absus4?
Both drop the third. A♭sus2 replaces it with the second (B♭), which sounds open and airy. A♭sus4 uses the fourth (D♭), which sounds tense and wants to resolve back to A flat major.
How can I play Absus2 without a barre?
Use a capo. Put it on the 1st fret and play the open Gsus2 shape or Put it on the 3rd fret and play the open Fsus2 shape. It sounds as A♭sus2. You can also play just the top three or four strings of the barre shape.
Other sus2 chords
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