How to play the Esus2 chord on guitar

The Esus2 chord, pronounced E suspended second, is a variation of the standard E major chord. It's played by removing your index finger from the first fret of the G string, creating an open and airy sound. This chord is commonly used in folk, country, and rock music to add a sense of tension or ambiguity before resolving back to the standard E chord.

The Esus2 chord is typically played as a barre chord on the 7th fret of the guitar.

Follow these finger positions to play a Esus2 chord on your guitar:

1. Barre your index finger across all six strings on the 7th fret.
2. Place your middle finger on the 9th fret of the 3rd (G) string.
3. Place your pinky finger on the 9th fret of the 2nd (B) string.

To strum this chord, use a downward motion starting from the lowest (thickest) string to the highest (thinnest) string, making sure all notes ring out clearly.

If you're a beginner looking to play a simpler version of the Esus2 chord, try this:

1. Place your middle finger on the 2nd fret of the 5th (A) string.
2. Place your ring finger on the 2nd fret of the 4th (D) string.
3. Leave the other strings open.
4. Strum all six strings.

Barre chords allow you to play the Esus2 chord in different positions on the fretboard, which can be helpful for creating smooth transitions between chords in a song.

Here's how to play an Esus2 barre chord:

1. Place your index finger across all six strings at the 7th fret, creating a barre.
2. Place your middle finger on the 8th fret of the 3rd (G) string.
3. Place your ring finger on the 9th fret of the 5th (A) string.
4. Place your pinky finger on the 9th fret of the 4th (D) string.
5. Strum all six strings from the low E string to the high E string.

The Esus2 chord, with its bright and hopeful sound, is often used in chord progressions to add a sense of anticipation or to transition between different sections of a song. Here are some common chord progressions featuring the Esus2 chord:

• I - Esus2 - IV - V (C - Esus2 - F - G)
• vi - IV - I - Esus2 (Am - F - C - Esus2) Used in "Fast Car" by Tracy Chapman
• I - V - vi - Esus2 (C - G - Am - Esus2)
• ii - V - I - Esus2 (Dm - G - C - Esus2)
• I - vi - Esus2 - V (C - Am - Esus2 - G)

To master the Esus2 chord, try playing it in various progressions. Strum the chord for a few beats, then transition to another chord like A or B7. Repeat this pattern, gradually increasing your speed and fluidity.

Alternatively, practice the Esus2 chord in the context of a song. Find tunes that feature this chord and play along, focusing on clean transitions and timing. With consistent practice, you'll develop muscle memory and incorporate Esus2 seamlessly into your playing.

Here are 10 popular songs you can play with the Esus2 chord.

1. Wonderwall by Oasis (Esus2, Asus2, Dsus2, Asus2)
2. Drive by Incubus (Esus2, Cmaj9, Dsus2, Am7)
3. Elderly Woman Behind the Counter in a Small Town by Pearl Jam (G, D, Esus2, Cmaj7)
4. Disarm by The Smashing Pumpkins (Esus2, Cmaj7, G, D)
5. Hey Jealousy by Gin Blossoms (G, C, Esus2, D)
6. Everlong by Foo Fighters (Esus2, Asus2, Cmaj7, G)
7. Comedown by Bush (Esus2, D, Cmaj7, G)
8. Beloved by Mumford & Sons (Esus2, Cmaj7, G, D)
9. Clocks by Coldplay (Esus2, Cmaj7, G, D)
10. Glycerine by Bush (Esus2, D, Cmaj7, G)