Asus2 Ukulele Chord

Asus2 is the A suspended second chord on ukulele. It has three notes: A, B and E. The standard shape puts three fingers inside the first four frets with the E string open, so it rings almost as freely as the plain A chord it usually decorates.

Three fingers around the 2nd and 4th frets with the E string open: the suspended B sits on the A string, on top of the strum.

How to play Asus2 on ukulele, step by step

Index finger: 2nd fret, G string
Middle finger: 2nd fret, A string
Ring finger: 4th fret, C string
Leave the E string open. Strum all four strings.

Strum A, then Asus2, then A again. The B stepping in for C♯ and handing back is the whole point of a sus chord, and on ukulele both grips sit inside the first four frets, so the change is a small one.

More ways to play Asus2

There are 3 common Asus2 shapes: the standard one at the top of the page, plus these further up the neck. You only ever need one. Tap any card to hear it.

Asus2 ukulele chord diagram, frets 4 to 5, played 4450 — Frets 4 to 5

Asus2 ukulele chord diagram, frets 7 to 9, played 9970 — Frets 7 to 9

If it will not ring

The open E string sounds dull: The ring finger reaching the 4th fret of the C string is leaning into the E string next door. Arch it so only the tip touches its own string.
The two 2nd fret notes buzz: Index and middle sit at the same fret on the outside strings and can drag each other flat. Keep both right behind the fret wire and press with the tips.
It sounds thin: The E appears twice in this voicing, once fretted and once open. If one of them is muted the chord loses its body, so check both E notes speak before blaming the strings.

What makes it an Asus2

A · B · E 1 2 5

Asus2 takes the A major chord and swaps its third, C♯, for the second, B. With no third the chord is neither major nor minor, which is why it can stand in front of A or Am equally well. The B hangs, and your ear waits for it to move; usually it settles onto C♯ for A major or C for A minor.

The same three notes, A, B and E, read from E instead of A, spell Esus4. Every sus2 chord has a sus4 twin a fifth up like this, and which name applies depends on which chord the song treats as home. You will meet Asus2 wherever A chords live: the keys of A, D and E.

Asus2 vs Asus4

Both chords remove the C♯ from A and hang a different note in its place: Asus2 hangs B, a whole step below the missing third, and Asus4 hangs D, a half step above it. On ukulele Asus4 is one finger moved from the plain A shape, while Asus2 takes its own three finger grip.

They also pull differently. The sus4 leans hard on the chord underneath and wants to resolve in a beat or two; the sus2 is calmer and can sit under a whole sung line without sounding unfinished.

Asus2 chord questions

Is Asus2 major or minor?

Neither. The third, which decides major or minor, is replaced by B. That is what suspended means: the chord hangs until a third returns.

Is Asus2 harder than A?

Slightly. The plain A needs two fingers and Asus2 needs three, but all of them sit inside the first four frets and nothing barres.

What is the difference between Asus2 and Asus4?

Asus2 replaces the C♯ of A with B; Asus4 replaces it with D. The sus4 sounds tenser and resolves faster, the sus2 sounds more open.

Is Asus2 the same as Esus4?

They contain the same three notes, A, B and E. Which name fits depends on the root the song is built on: if home is A, the chord is Asus2.

What does Asus2 resolve to?

A major, when the B steps up to C♯. It can just as easily fall into Am, since nothing in the chord blocks the minor third.