What Is a Suspended 2nd Triad?
A suspended 2nd triad (sus2) replaces the third of a triad with a major second. Instead of C-E-G (major) or C-E♭-G (minor), you get C-D-G. This removes the major/minor character and creates an open, spacious sound.
The name "suspended" comes from classical voice leading, where a note from one chord was held (suspended) into the next chord before resolving. In modern usage, sus chords don't always resolve — they stand alone as distinct chord qualities.
How to Build a Sus2 Triad
Formula
Root + 2 semitones + 5 semitones
Or: Root + Major 2nd + Perfect 5th
Example: C Sus2 Triad
- C (root)
- D (2 semitones up from C = major second)
- G (5 semitones up from D = perfect fifth, or 7 semitones up from C)
Sus2 vs. Major vs. Minor
C Major: C E G (major third + perfect fifth = bright)
C Minor: C E♭ G (minor third + perfect fifth = dark)
C Sus2: C D G (major second + perfect fifth = open)
The sus2 removes the third entirely, so it has no major/minor quality. It's neither bright nor dark — just open and spacious.
The Sound of Sus2
Open, spacious, suspended, waiting, unresolved, modern.
Sus2 triads sound contemporary and angular. They lack the resolved quality of major and minor triads, creating a sense of incompleteness or waiting. This makes them perfect for creating tension that can resolve to a major or minor chord, or they can stand alone as colour chords.
All 12 Sus2 Triads
| Chord | Root | Major 2nd | Perfect 5th |
|---|---|---|---|
| Csus2 | C | D | G |
| Gsus2 | G | A | D |
| Dsus2 | D | E | A |
| Asus2 | A | B | E |
| Esus2 | E | F# | B |
| Bsus2 | B | C# | F# |
| F#sus2 | F# | G# | C# |
| Fsus2 | F | G | C |
| B♭sus2 | B♭ | C | F |
| E♭sus2 | E♭ | F | B♭ |
| A♭sus2 | A♭ | B♭ | E♭ |
| D♭sus2 | D♭ | E♭ | A♭ |
How to Use Sus2 Chords
1. As a transition: Use sus2 chords between major and minor chords for smooth voice leading.
2. In rock and pop: Sus2 chords are everywhere in modern music for their open, contemporary sound.
3. Arpeggiated: Break the sus2 into individual notes for open, spacious melodies.
4. As standalone colour: Use sus2 chords for their unique spacious character without needing resolution.
Free: Chord Ear Training Cheat Sheet
Learn to hear the open quality of sus2 triads and distinguish them from major and minor.