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E♭sus2 chord on guitar

E♭sus2 (E♭ suspended second) is E♭, F and B♭. It has no open shape, so it is played as a barre chord, most often the one at the 1st fret, written xx1341. Lay your 1st finger (index) flat across the 4th to 1st strings at the 1st fret. Put your 3rd finger (ring) on the 3rd string, 3rd fret. Put your 4th finger (little) on the 2nd string, 4th fret. Don't play the 6th and 5th strings: strum from the 4th.

E♭sus2

E♭ suspended second · E♭ F B♭ · 1 2 5

  • 1st fret

    Barre chord, root on the 4th string

    1341E♭B♭E♭F

    xx1341

  • 6th fret

    Barre chord, root on the 5th string

    6fr13411E♭B♭E♭FB♭

    x68866

Or pick another chord to see and hear it

Root
Chord

Dots show where each finger goes, numbered 1 (index) to 4 (little); the green ones are E♭, the root.

How to play E♭sus2

Strings are counted from the thinnest: the 1st is the high E and the 6th the low E. Each shape is written as tab from the 6th string to the 1st, a number for the fret to press, 0 for an open string and x for one not played.

  1. 1. Barre chord, root on the 4th string · 1st fret

    xx1341
    • Lay your 1st finger (index) flat across the 4th to 1st strings at the 1st fret.
    • Put your 3rd finger (ring) on the 3rd string, 3rd fret.
    • Put your 4th finger (little) on the 2nd string, 4th fret.
    • Don't play the 6th and 5th strings: strum from the 4th.
  2. 2. Barre chord, root on the 5th string · 6th fret

    x68866
    • Lay your 1st finger (index) flat across the 5th to 1st strings at the 6th fret.
    • Put your 3rd finger (ring) on the 4th string, 8th fret.
    • Put your 4th finger (little) on the 3rd string, 8th fret.
    • Don't play the 6th string: strum from the 5th.

Notes in the E♭sus2 chord

E♭sus2 is E♭, F and B♭, and it sounds open and airy, neither major nor minor. From E♭, count 2 half steps up to F and 5 more to B♭. Its formula is 1 2 5. The shapes above play these notes in different orders and octaves, some more than once, but always with E♭ lowest. It is also written D♯sus2 (D♯ E♯ A♯): the same frets. See its inversions and keys on the E♭sus2 piano chord page.

Frequently asked questions

How do you play E♭sus2 on guitar?

It has no open shape, so it is played as a barre chord, most often the one at the 1st fret, written xx1341. Lay your 1st finger (index) flat across the 4th to 1st strings at the 1st fret. Put your 3rd finger (ring) on the 3rd string, 3rd fret. Put your 4th finger (little) on the 2nd string, 4th fret. Don't play the 6th and 5th strings: strum from the 4th.

What notes are in the E♭sus2 chord?

E♭sus2 is E♭, F and B♭. In the shape written xx1341, the 4th to 1st strings play E♭, B♭, E♭ and F.

Is E♭sus2 a barre chord?

Usually, yes: it has no open shape. The barre at the 1st fret (xx1341) is the one most players use; the same shape moved to another fret plays another root.

How many ways can you play E♭sus2 on guitar?

This page shows two: xx1341 (1st fret) and x68866 (6th fret). Any chord can be played in more places up the neck; these are the ones chord books show first.

Can I make a beat with E♭sus2?

Yes. “Make a beat in E♭ major” opens the free editor with a lo-fi beat in E♭ major on E♭ B♭ Cm A♭, the key where E♭sus2 is the Isus2 chord. Then change any part, add a melody and your voice, part by part. No account is needed to start.

Make a beat in E♭ major

Opens the free editor with a lo-fi beat in E♭ major on E♭ B♭ Cm A♭, the key where E♭sus2 is the Isus2 chord. Then change any part, add a melody and your voice, part by part. No account needed to start.