Esus2 Piano Chord

Piano Diagram of Esus2 in Root Position

The Esus2 chord consists of three notes: E, F#, and B. 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 Esus2 chord on a piano, simply replace the third note of an E major chord (G#) with the major second (F#). Keep reading to get a better grip on the music theory behind this chord.

 

 

Fingers Position

 

Esus2 Chord Inversions

 

The Esus2 chord has a total of 2 inversions:

 Piano Keyboard Diagrams

 

Esus2 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 Esus2 = Bsus4

For instance, if we take the Esus2 chord with the notes E, F#, and B and rearrange them so that B becomes the root note, we end up with a Bsus4 chord with the notes B, E, and F#. Therefore, the 2nd inversion of Esus2 is equivalent to Bsus4.

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Music Theory and Harmony of Esus2

 

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 Esus2 Chord: Different Approaches

Starting from the E 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 Esus2 chord, you can begin with the E major scale, which includes the notes E, F#, G#, A, B, C#, and D#.

 

 

 

To create an Esus2 chord, apply the formula R, 2, 5 in the following manner:

1. Begin with the Root note, which is E.
2. Select the major 2nd interval, which is F#, and add it to the chord.
3. Finally, add the 5th interval, which is B.

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 Esus2 chord as an example. By examining the intervals between the notes, we can see that E-F# forms a major 2nd interval (a whole tone), and F#-B creates a perfect 4th interval.

 

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How to Use Esus2 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 E major (including E7 chords) and E minor chords in various positions and different harmonic roles.

 

Esus2 as Substitute of E Maj Chords

on Major Scales

• Tonic chord in E Major
• Subdominant chord in B Major
• Dominant chord in A Major

 

on Natural minor Scales

• Mediant chord in C# minor
• Submediant chord in G# minor
• Leading tone chord in F# minor

 

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Esus2 as Substitute of E min Chords

In the key of C Major and A minor, the note F# can clash with the F and G# notes that are present in those keys. While this doesn’t prevent you from using the Esus2 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 D Major
• Non Diatonic Mediant chord in C Major
• Submediant chord in G Major

 

 

on Natural minor Scales

• Tonic chord in E minor
• Subdominant chord in B minor
• Non Diatonic Dominant chord in A minor

 

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Esus2 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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Esus2 in E Major

The Esus2 chord can be used along with the E Maj7 chord (or any other kind of E major chord) on the first degree to create movement in a chord progression. The Esus2 chord can suspend the E Major chord or the subsequent chord.

 

Esus2 Chord Progressions as I degree

ii V I

I IV V

 

 I V vi IV

 

I IV vi V

 

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Esus2 in B Major

Let’s find out how the Esus2 chord sounds in the B major key as a substitution or variation of the E Maj7 chord on the IV degree.

 

Esus2 Chord Progressions as IV degree

I IV V

 

 I V vi IV

 

I IV vi V

 

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Esus2 in A Major

In the key of A Major, the fifth degree it features an E7 chord. Adding an Esus2 chord can create tension and expectation, leading to a resolution on the dominant chord.

 

Esus2 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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Esus2 in C# Minor

Try experimenting with chord progressions featuring an E Maj7 on the III degree of the C# minor scale, and try playing an Esus2 before or after the E Maj7 to see how it sounds.

 

Esus2 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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Esus2 in G# Minor

In the key of G# minor, the VI degree chord is an E major chord. You can use an Esus2 chord as a variation or substitution of this chord. Try using the Esus2 chord before or after the E major chord in your chord progressions to add interest and variation.

 

Esus2 Chord Progressions as VI degree

i VI VII

 

i v VI VII

 

i III VII VI

 

Circle Progression

 

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Esus2 in F# Minor

Let’s explore the use of Esus2 as a leading tone chord in the key of F# minor. As the leading tone chord, Esus2 can create tension and lead the listener’s ear to the tonic chord, which is F# minor in this case.

 

Esus2 as VII degree – Chord Progressions

i VI VII

 

i v VI VII

 

i III VII VI

 

Circle Progression

 

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Esus2 in D Major

In the key of D Major, the supertonic chord is an E minor. However, we can use an Esus2 chord as a variation or substitution for the Em chord to add some tonal color and interest to a chord progression.

 

Esus2 Chord Progressions as ii degree

ii V I

 

I IV ii V iii vi ii V

 

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Esus2 in C Major (Non diatonic)

In the key of C Major, the Esus2 chord can be used as a non-diatonic substitution for the E minor chord on the III degree, adding a different tonal color to the progression. However, it’s important to be aware that the Esus2 chord contains an F# that could clash with the F or with the G present in the C Major scale.

 

Esus2 Chord Progressions as iii degree

I iii IV V

 

I iii ii V

 

I iii vi IV

 

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Esus2 in G Major

Let’s explore how the Esus2 chord can function as a submediant chord in the key of G major. You can try incorporating it into chord progressions that feature an Em chord on the VI degree.

 

Esus2 as vi degree – Chord Progressions

I iii vi V

 

I vi ii V

 

I IV ii V iii vi ii V

 

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Esus2 in E Minor

When using the Esus2 chord in the key of E minor, it can be a variation of the traditional Em chord. It creates a more ambiguous sound due to its suspended nature, but it can be used to add tension to a chord progression.

 

Esus2 Chord Progressions as i degree

i VI VII

 

Chromatic modulation

 

i iv VI VII

 

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Esus2 in B Minor

In the B minor scale, the IV degree is E major, which can be replaced or varied by an Esus2 chord.

 

Esus2 Chord Progressions as iv degree

iv III VI VII

 

i iv VI v

 

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Esus2 in A Minor (Non Diatonic)

As an alternative or substitution for the v degree chord (E minor) in the key of A minor, you may use an Esus2 chord. However, note that the Esus2 chord is non-diatonic in this key due to the presence of F#, while the A minor scale includes an F and a G. Therefore, it’s generally advisable to avoid using the Esus2 chord in this context, but don’t hesitate to experiment and see how it sounds to your liking.

 

Esus2 as v degree – Chord Progressions

i iv VI v

 

i v VI VII

 

i VI v iv

 

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Alternative Names for Esus2 Chord

• Esus²
• Esus⁽²⁾
• E add2(no3)
• E add2(omit3)
• E 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 Esus2 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!