Sus2 chords
A chord with no third: the second takes its place. Neither major nor minor, it sounds open and airy, and is mostly used to add color to a major chord.
What it is
“Sus” is short for suspended. In a sus2 chord, the third drops out and the second, 2 half steps above the root, takes its place. Its formula is 1, 2, 5.
In D, that gives you D, E, A. Without a third, the chord is neither major nor minor: the third is what decides that.
Sound and use
Open, airy, a bit up in the air. It’s rarely used on its own: mostly it adds movement to a major chord. Switch between D and Dsus2 while keeping the same strumming pattern, and you’ll get a figure you hear in lots of folk and pop songs.
Shapes to know
In open position: Csus2, Dsus2 and Asus2. For Dsus2 and Asus2, just lift one finger off the major chord.
All 12 sus2 chords
Click a diagram to hear it, or the name to open its full page (every position, tab).