The A suspended second (Asus2) chord is a standard in rock songs and is also used in jazz and blues.http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=KXW3KLSzuvEhttp://www.jamplay.com/guitar-chords/free-guitar-chords.html As such, it is a chord that beginning guitarists may want to learn how to play. In chord notation, it is often noted with nonstandard names like A5add2, A2(no3) or A2. Sometimes it is referred to as Aadd9(no3).http://www.hobby-hour.com/guitar/chords.php?chord=asus2
Asus2 is an open fifth chord, neither major nor minor, as the third of the A chord (C for A minor, C# for A major) is not played.http://www.guitaralliance.com/guitar_lessons/power_chords/power_chords_2.htm The chord consists of three notes, A, B and E. These are the same three notes that make up Esus4. So Asus2 and Esus4 are different inversions of the same chord. If you play the low E (top string) as the fundamental, this suggests an Esus4. If you leave out the low E and strum the chord starting with A (second from the top) as the low tone, this suggests an Asus2.http://www.chorderator.com/cgi-bin/generate.py?chordName=Asus2/B&tuning=EADGBE&capo=0&size=30&menuTab=relatedChords
The introduction to Black by Pearl Jam features an Asus2 chord.http://www.jamplay.com/guitar-chords/a-sus-2-guitar-chord.html Suspended second chords are also featured in the opening chords of Don't Dream It's Over by Crowded House, Pinball Wizard by The Who and Message in a Bottle by The Police.http://www.musicnotes.com/sheetmusic/scorchVPE.asp?ppn=SC0085628http://www.heartwoodguitar.com/chords/the-who-pinball-wizard/http://www.e-chords.com/chords/the-police/message-in-a-bottle
How to Play an a Suspended Two (Asus2) Chord on Guitar
If you have ever wanted to learn How to Play an a Suspended Second (Asus2) Chord on Guitar, this video can help. Close-up shots of the chord being played as well as supportive audio commentary are provided throughout. This video is part of a wider series of videos about how to play the guitar, which are published on the Mahalo.com channel of YouTube.
Step 1: Fret the Chord
Set the body of your guitar on your lap and place your left hand at the top of the neck of the instrument. Press your middle finger at the second fret of the D string (third from the top) and press your ring finger at the second fret of the G string (fourth from the top). This is the simplest fingering of the Asus2 guitar chord.http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=KXW3KLSzuvE
Step 2: Practice Strumming the Chord
Strum the bottom five strings for the Asus2 version of the chord. The notes you're hearing are A, E, A, D and E. As you strum the chord, try to make each note sound clearly. Try to avoid muting one of the adjacent open strings by accidentally touching it. Also be sure to press down on the strings firmly enough to avoid a buzzing sound. Listen to the difference in sound when you play only the bottom five strings compared to when you include the low E string at the top.
Step 3: Practice the Asus2 Chord in Songs
One of the challenges in playing guitar is becoming adept at switching quickly between chords. Choose a song you like that incorporates an Asus4 chord and note which chords precede and follow it. These would be useful chord transitions to learn and practice. Practice quick transitions between Asus2 and common adjacent chords, such as E major and D major in Taylor Swift's Baby Don't Break My Heart Slow.http://www.ultimate-guitar.com/tabs/t/taylor_swift/baby_dont_break_my_heart_slow_crd.htm
How to Play an A6 Chord on Guitar
This video from Mahalo.com provides all the information you will need to learn How to Play an A6 Chord on Guitar. There are close-up screen shots as well as detailed audio commentary throughout. This video is part of a wider series of videos about how to play the guitar, which are published on the Mahalo.com channel of YouTube.
How to Play an A7 Chord on Guitar
This quick 1:18 minute video explains How to Play an A7 Chord on Guitar. The video offers audio as well as video representation to ensure the viewers' understanding. The camera focuses on a man playing the guitar and shows both his hands on the guitar so that the viewer can see how the chord is played. This video is part of a wider series of videos about how to play the guitar, which are published on the Mahalo.com channel of YouTube.
How to Play an a Seven Augmented: (A7+) Chord on Guitar
Learn How to Play an a Seven Augmented: (A7+) Chord on Guitar in this Mahalo.com-produced video. Close-up views of the Guitarist playing the chord are available, as well as supporting detailed audio commentary. This video is part of a wider series of videos about how to play the guitar, which are published on the Mahalo.com channel of YouTube.
How to Play an a Seven Suspended Four (A7Sus4) Chord on Guitar
Learn How to Play an a Seven Suspended Four (A7Sus4) Chord on Guitar in this Mahalo.com-produced video. Close-up views of the Guitarist playing the chord are available, as well as supporting detailed audio commentary. This video is part of a wider series of videos about how to play the guitar, which are published on the Mahalo.com channel of YouTube.
How to Play an A13 Chord on Guitar
How to Play an A13 Chord on Guitar is a detailed video providing all the information you will need to master the playing of this chord. Close-up shots of the guitarist playing the chord as well as supporting commentary are also provided. This video is part of a wider series of videos about how to play the guitar, which are published on the Mahalo.com channel of YouTube.
How to Play an A Over D (A/D) Chord on Guitar
This short 1:10 minute video teaches viewers how to play an A over D (A/D) chord on the guitar. There is an introduction to begin with and then the video proceeds in explaining the chord. There are visuals of someone playing the desired chord so viewers can see how it is done. In addition to visuals, a man is explaining while viewers can see what is being played to get a full understanding.
How to Play an A Sharp Seven (A#7) Chord on the Guitar
This Mahalo-produced video is a short 1:24 clip of how to play an A sharp seven chord on the guitar. There is video as well as audio to ensure the viewers' understanding. A man is playing the guitar--you can see his right and left hand on different parts of the guitar--so that the viewers can see how the chord is played. In addition to the visual, the same man is explaining to viewers what he is doing as he is doing it.
How to Play an A Sharp Minor (A#m) Chord on the Guitar
This quick 1:49 minute video explains how to play an A sharp minor chord on the guitar. The video offers audio as well as video representation to ensure the viewers' understanding. The camera focuses on a man playing the guitar and shows both his hands on the guitar so that the viewer can see how the chord is played. In addition to the visual, the man explains which fingers should go where as he does it in the video.
How to Play an A Sharp Minor Seven (A#m7) Chord on Guitar
In this instructional tutorial from Mahalo, the guitar teacher provides fret fingering and hand placement demonstrations as well as strumming tips for students learning to play the A#m7 chord. An important tip is that this chord involves the index finger in a bar position at the first fret. Find this and other guitar videos, including song tutorials and other chord lessons, on Mahalo.com's YouTube channel.
How to Play an A Suspended Second (Asus2) Chord on Guitar Answers
References
Fast Facts
-
Alternate voicing
For a cleaner sound strum only the bottom five strings
-
Ease of playing
If you are a new guitarist, try beginning with the Asus2 chord, since it is relatively easy to learn.
-
Standard tuning
Use E,A,D,G,D,E for this fingering
