How to play the Asus2 chord on guitar

The Asus2 chord, pronounced A suspended second, is a variation of the A major chord featuring an added 2nd note (B). This unique addition creates a bright and open sound, often used in folk, country, and rock music to add harmonic interest. Notable songs showcasing the Asus2 chord include "Wonderwall" by Oasis and "Fast Car" by Tracy Chapman.

The standard way to play the Asus2 chord on guitar is as a barre chord on the 2nd fret.

Follow these finger positions to play a Asus2 chord on your guitar:

1. Place your index finger on the 2nd fret of the 5th (A), 4th (D), 3rd (G), 2nd (B), and 1st (high E) strings, forming a barre.
2. Place your middle finger on the 4th fret of the 3rd (G) string.
3. Place your ring finger on the 4th fret of the 2nd (B) string.

Strum all six strings together to play the Asus2 chord.

If you're a beginner looking to play a simpler version of the Asus2 chord, try playing an A major chord and remove your index finger from the second (B) string. This creates an open string on the second fret, giving you a simpler Asus2 voicing that requires only two fingers to play.

Playing the Asus2 chord as a barre chord can be a great way to add variety and fullness to your guitar playing. While the open chord version is easier to play, the barre chord shape allows for more flexibility and can be used in a wider range of musical contexts.

Here's how to play an Asus2 barre chord:

1. Place your index finger across the second fret, covering all six strings (barre).
2. Place your ring finger on the fourth fret of the fourth (D) string.
3. Place your pinky finger on the fourth fret of the third (G) string.
4. Strum from the fifth (A) string down.

The Asus2 chord is often used in progressions to add a dreamy, ethereal quality, creating a sense of emotional depth and introspection. Some common chord progressions featuring Asus2 include:

• vi - IV - I - V (Asus2 - D - E - B)
• I - vi - IV - V (E - Asus2 - D - B) Used in "Wonderwall" by Oasis and "With or Without You" by U2
• vi - V - IV - III (Asus2 - B - D - G#m)
• IV - V - vi - IV (D - B - Asus2 - D)
• vi - III - IV - I (Asus2 - G#m - D - E)

To master the Asus2 chord, try playing the individual notes (A, B, and E) one at a time, focusing on each note's clarity and tone. Once comfortable, practice transitioning between these notes in different orders.

Another effective drill is to strum the Asus2 chord while alternating between different rhythmic patterns. Start with simple patterns like quarter notes and gradually progress to more complex ones, such as a combination of eighth notes and sixteenth notes. This exercise will help develop your strumming hand's accuracy and timing.

Here are 10 popular songs you can play with the Asus2 chord.

1. Wonderwall by Oasis (Asus2, Dsus4, Em7, G)
2. Elderly Woman Behind the Counter in a Small Town by Pearl Jam (D, G, Asus2, Bm)
3. Soul Meets Body by Death Cab for Cutie (Em, Asus2, Cmaj7, G)
4. Pink Moon by Nick Drake (Asus2, D)
5. Creep by Radiohead (G, B, C, Cm)
6. Extreme Ways by Moby (Em, Asus2, C, G, D)
7. Little Black Submarines by The Black Keys (Em, C, G, D, Asus2)
8. Stupid Boy by Keith Urban (D, G, Asus2, Bm)
9. If I Had a Gun... by Noel Gallagher's High Flying Birds (Em, Asus2, C)
10. Barfuss am Klavier by AnnenMayKantereit (Asus2, D, A)