Absus2 Piano Chord

Piano Diagram of Absus2 in Root Position

The Absus2 chord consists of three notes: Ab, Bb, and Eb. This chord is known as a suspended second chord, where the third note of the chord is replaced by a major second. To play the Absus2 chord on a piano, simply replace the third note of an Ab major chord with a major second. Keep reading to get a better grip on the music theory behind this chord.

 

 

Fingers Position

 

Absus2 Chord Inversions

 

The Absus2 chord has a total of 2 inversions:

 Piano Keyboard Diagrams

 

Absus2 Chord Equivalencies

An interesting detail about sus2 chords is that their 2nd inversion results in a sus4 chord. To clarify, when the 5th note of a sus2 chord becomes the root note, it transforms into a sus4 chord.

2nd Inversion of Absus2 = Ebsus4

For instance, if we take the Absus2 chord with the notes Ab, Bb, and Eb and rearrange them so that Eb becomes the root note, we end up with an Ebsus4 chord with the notes Eb, Ab, and Bb. Therefore, the 2nd inversion of Absus2 is equivalent to Ebsus4.

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Music Theory and Harmony of Absus2

 

What are Suspended  Chords?

In suspended chords, the third note is replaced by either a major second or a perfect fourth. The resulting chords are called suspended second (sus2) or suspended fourth (sus4) chords, respectively. These chords create a unique and sometimes unresolved sound that can add tension and interest to a musical composition.

Suspended chords have a distinctive sound that sets them apart from major and minor chords. They are so-called because they temporarily suspend the listener’s expectation of hearing a major or minor stable chord. Instead, they feature a perfect fourth or major second interval in place of the third. Due to their “neutral nature”, suspended chords can sometimes be used as substitutes for both, major and minor chords.

 

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Building the Absus2 Chord: Different Approaches

Starting from the Ab major Scale

To build a sus2 chord, you can use the major scale as a guide and combine a root note, a major 2nd interval, and a perfect 5th interval. For example, to form an Absus2 chord, you can begin with the Ab major scale, which includes the notes Ab, Bb, C, Db, Eb, F, and G.

 

 

 

To create an Absus2 chord, apply the formula R, 2, 5 in the following manner:

1. Begin with the Root note, which is Ab.
2. Select the major 2nd interval, which is Bb, and add it to the chord.
3. Finally, add the 5th interval, which is Eb.

By following this simple formula, you can create a sus2 chord from any major scale.

 

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by Combining Intervals

One method to create a suspended 2nd chord is by combining two specific intervals – a major 2nd, and a perfect 4th.

2 + 4 = sus2 Chords

To illustrate, let’s use the Absus2 chord as an example. By examining the intervals between the notes, we can see that Ab-Bb forms a major 2nd interval, and Bb-Eb creates a perfect 4th interval.

 

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How to Use Absus2 in a Chord Progression

 

Suspended second (sus2) chords are neither major nor minor, making them a great option to create tension and suspense before resolving to major and minor chords.

The tables below show the harmonization of major and relative natural minor scales for keys that include Ab major (including Ab7 chords) and Ab minor chords in various positions and different harmonic roles.

 

Absus2 as Substitute of Ab Maj Chords

on Major Scales

• Tonic chord in Ab Major
• Subdominant chord in Eb Major
• Dominant chord in Db Major

 

on Natural minor Scales

• Mediant chord in F minor
• Submediant chord in C minor
• Leading tone chord in Bb minor

 

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Absus2 as Substitute of Ab min Chords

In the key of E Major and Db minor, the note Bb can clash with the A and B notes that are part of those keys. While this doesn’t prevent you from using the Absus2 chord in those positions, it’s important to be aware that it can create a strong dissonance with the melody or other elements of the composition.

on Major Scales

• Supertonic chord in Gb Major
• Non Diatonic Mediant chord in E Major as G#sus2
• Submediant chord in B Major as G#sus2

 

on Natural minor Scales

• Tonic chord in Ab minor
• Subdominant chord in Eb minor
• Non Diatonic Dominant chord in C# minor as G#sus2

 

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Absus2 Chord Function in Major and Minor Keys

Understanding Scale Degrees

When creating chords from a scale, each note in the scale is assigned a degree, which reflects its position in the scale. In the diatonic major scale, there are seven degrees, and each degree has a unique role in the overall harmony of the scale.

1. The first degree of the scale is called the Tonic, and it serves as the foundation for the scale. It provides a stable tonal center and is often referred to as the “home base” of the music.
2. The second degree of the scale is called the Supertonic. It’s typically used as a passing note between the tonic and other scale degrees, and it adds a sense of movement to the melody or harmony.
3. The third degree of the scale is called the Mediant. It’s located halfway between the tonic and dominant notes and helps to establish whether the scale is major or minor.
4. The fourth degree of the scale is called the Subdominant. It’s often used as a complementary harmony to the dominant and adds a sense of tension and resolution to the music.
5. The fifth degree of the scale is called the Dominant. It generates tension and a sense of expectation, and it’s typically resolved by returning to the tonic.
6. The sixth degree of the scale is called the Submediant. It’s often utilized as a transition between the dominant and tonic, and it provides a sense of stability and restfulness to the music.
7. The seventh degree of the scale is called the Leading tone. It’s located one half step below the tonic and produces a strong sense of tension and a desire to resolve to the tonic. It’s often used to create a sense of resolution and finality in the melody or harmony.

 

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Absus2 in Ab Major

The Absus2 chord may not be the best fit in this position, but it can still be used along with the Ab Maj7 chord (or any other kind of Ab major chord) to create movement in a chord progression. The Absus2 chord can suspend the Ab Major chord or the subsequent chord.

 

Absus2 Chord Progressions as I degree

ii V I

I IV V

 

 I V vi IV

 

I IV vi V

 

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Absus2 in Eb Major

Let’s find out how the Absus2 chord sounds in the Eb major scale as a substitution or variation of the Ab Maj7 chord on the IV degree.

 

Absus2 Chord Progressions as IV degree

I IV V

 

 I V vi IV

 

I IV vi V

 

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Absus2 in Db Major

In the key of Db Major, the fifth degree it features an Ab7 chord. Adding an Absus2 chord can create tension and expectation, leading to a resolution on the dominant chord.

 

Absus2 as V degree – Chord Progressions

ii V I

I IV V

 

 I V vi IV

 

I IV vi V

 

 I IV ii V iii vi ii V

 

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Absus2 in F Minor

Try experimenting with chord progressions featuring an AbMaj7 on the III degree of the F minor key, and try playing an Absus2 before or after the AbMaj7 to see how it sounds.

 

Absus2 Chord Progressions as III degree

i III

 

i III VII VI

 

i III iv v

 

i III ii v

 

I iii vi V

 

Circle Progression

 

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Absus2 in C Minor

In C minor, the VI degree chord is an Ab major chord. You can use an Absus2 chord as a variation or substitution of this chord. Try using the Absus2 chord before or after the Ab major chord in your chord progressions to add interest and variation.

 

Absus2 Chord Progressions as VI degree

i VI VII

 

i v VI VII

 

i III VII VI

 

Circle Progression

 

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Absus2 in Bb Minor

Let’s explore the use of Absus2 as a leading tone chord in the key of Bb minor. As the leading tone chord, Absus2 can create tension and lead the listener’s ear to the tonic chord, which is Bb minor in this case.

 

Absus2 as VII degree – Chord Progressions

i VI VII

 

i v VI VII

 

i III VII VI

 

Circle Progression

 

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Absus2 in Gb Major

In the key of Gb Major, the supertonic chord is an Ab minor. However, we can use an Absus2 chord as a variation or substitution for the Abm chord to add some tonal color and interest to a chord progression.

 

Absus2 Chord Progressions as ii degree

ii V I

 

I IV ii V iii vi ii V

 

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Absus2 in Fb Major (Non diatonic)

Check C#sus2 in E Major

 

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Absus2 in Cb Major

Check C#sus2 in B Major

 

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Absus2 in Ab Minor

When using the Absus2 chord in the key of Ab minor, it can be a variation of the traditional Abm chord. It creates a more ambiguous sound due to its suspended nature, but it can be used to add tension to a chord progression.

 

Absus2 Chord Progressions as i degree

i VI VII

 

Chromatic modulation

 

i iv VI VII

 

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Absus2 in Eb Minor

In Eb minor key, the IV degree is Ab major, which can be replaced or varied with an Absus2 chord.

 

Absus2 Chord Progressions as iv degree

iv III VI VII

 

i iv VI v

 

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Absus2 in Db Minor (Non Diatonic)

Check C#sus2 in C# minor

 

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Alternative Names for Absus2 Chord

• Absus²
• Absus⁽²⁾
• Ab add2(no3)
• Ab add2(omit3)
• Ab Suspended 2nd

 

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Conclusion

While the chord progressions and examples in this post offer a comprehensive overview of common uses for the Absus2 chord, space constraints prevent a full exploration of advanced harmony topics. These include chord progressions based on scales, modal interchange, and jazz harmony. However, readers are encouraged to continue their studies to gain a deeper understanding of the harmonic possibilities beyond the basics presented here.

I hope this post has been informative and helpful in your music theory journey. Keep exploring and creating music, and don’t forget to have some fun along the way!