Piano chord
Esus2E suspended second
- E1
- F♯2
- B5
- Notes
- 3
- Positions
- 3
- Span
- 7semitones
- Fingers
- 1-2-5
How to play Esus2 on piano
- Find E: it is the root and the lowest note of the chord in root position.
- Right hand: 1 on E, 2 on F♯, 5 on B.
- Or with the left hand: 5 on E, 3 on F♯, 1 on B.
- Press the keys together, with curved fingers and a loose wrist, and let them ring.
Root position · E – F♯ – B
1st inversion · F♯ – B – E
2nd inversion · B – E – F♯
Numbers on the keys are fingers: 1 thumb, 2 index, 3 middle, 4 ring, 5 little finger.
Esus2 inversions
Here are all 3 positions of Esus2. The notes stay the same, only their order changes: root position has E at the bottom, and every inversion starts on the next chord tone.
- Root positionbass: ERight hand 1-2-5 · Left hand 5-3-1
- 1st inversionbass: F♯Right hand 1-2-5 · Left hand 5-2-1
- 2nd inversionbass: BRight hand 1-3-5 · Left hand 5-2-1
Esus2 with two hands
A full sound: the left hand plays E an octave lower, the right hand plays E–F♯–B.
Esus2 on other instruments
About the Esus2 chord
The 3 notes of E suspended second are E (1), F♯ (2), B (5). A suspended second: the third is replaced by the second, so the chord is neither major nor minor. Open and airy, it often resolves to the major or minor chord.
Put your thumb on E and count up: E – F♯ – B. The whole chord spans 7 semitones from bottom to top. That fits inside an octave, so one hand covers Esus2 without stretching.
The inversions of Esus2 keep the same notes in a new order. In the 1st inversion the bass is F♯ (F♯–B–E). In the 2nd inversion the bass is B (B–E–F♯).
Take G♯ out of Eadd9 and you get Esus2.
Questions
What notes are in the Esus2 chord?
Esus2 (E suspended second) has 3 notes: E (1), F♯ (2), B (5).
How many inversions does Esus2 have?
Esus2 can be played in 3 positions: Root position (E–F♯–B); 1st inversion (F♯–B–E); 2nd inversion (B–E–F♯).
What is the difference between Esus2 and Eadd9?
Take G♯ out of Eadd9 and you get Esus2.
Can I play Esus2 with one hand?
Yes. In root position Esus2 spans 7 semitones, less than an octave, so one hand holds it easily.