A♭sus2 5-string bass chord

How to play A♭sus2 on 5-string bass

The most common way, the first shape above: your index finger on the A string at the 1st fret, your middle finger on the D string at the 1st fret and your ring finger on the G string at the 1st fret. Don’t play the B and E strings.

From the B string x x 1 1 1 (x: not played, 0: open)

What notes are in A♭sus2?

A♭sus2, A♭ suspended second, is A♭, B♭ and E♭: the root (A♭), the major second (B♭) and the perfect fifth (E♭). Its formula is 1 2 5.

Is A♭sus2 the same as A♭add9?

No, though the names point at the same extra note, B♭. A♭sus2 leaves out the third, so it is neither major nor minor; A♭add9 keeps the third, C, and adds the ninth on top.

Where does A♭sus2 go?

Often back to A♭ or G♯m, B♭ moving up to the third. It also works on its own as an open, ringing chord.