G Suspended 2nd (Gsus2)

Download MIDI
1+2+5
G1A3D5
4 4

Notes in G Suspended 2nd

G (root)AD

Inversions

Same notes as G Suspended 2nd, with a different chord tone as the lowest note. Useful for smoother movement between chords instead of jumping around the keyboard.

Root position

G in the bass

G1A3D5

1st inversion

A in the bass (Gsus2/A)

A1D2G5

2nd inversion

D in the bass (Gsus2/D)

D1G3A5

G Suspended 2nd consists of G, A and D, played at the same time.

Suspended chords pull the third out entirely, so they land somewhere between major and minor rather than picking a side. Sus2 fills the gap with a major second sitting close to the root, which gives it an open, slightly hollow color. It's a favorite way to add movement to a strummed or arpeggiated part without changing the underlying harmony.

Difficulty: Beginner. Category: Triads. Click any highlighted key on the diagram above, or tab to it and press Enter, to hear that single note. Inversions mark the bass note with a contrasting outline.