sus2 chord generator
Build and Hear Sus2 Chords
A sus2 chord replaces the third with a major second, two semitones above the root. The perfect fifth remains. With no third, the basic chord does not specify a major or minor quality.
Start with C: C · D · G. Select another root to transpose the same formula, choose a voicing and press Play chord. Each note also has its own listening button. Audio begins only after a click; there is no camera or microphone request.
Play the instrument ↑- Chord formula
- 1 · 2 · 5
- Semitone offsets
- 0 · 2 · 7
- C example
- C · D · G
- Reference tuning
- Equal temperament · A4 = 440 Hz
The sus2 formula
A sus2 chord replaces the third with a major second, two semitones above the root. The perfect fifth remains. With no third, the basic chord does not specify a major or minor quality.
The formula 1 · 2 · 5 describes intervals from the selected root. The C example is C · D · G; these are 3 separate chord tones. A root change transposes the entire collection, while a voicing change rearranges the same pitch classes.
- Degree 1: 0 semitones above the root.
- Degree 2: 2 semitones above the root.
- Degree 5: 7 semitones above the root.
Replace the third with a second
Choose C, play C-D-G, then compare C-E-G. Follow D moving upward to E while C and G stay fixed. Invert the sus2 chord and read the bass label rather than guessing a new root from the lowest note.
The Compare major button keeps the selected root and root octave, and uses the comparison chord in root position. Set this chord to root position too for the clearest quality comparison. Use headphones or a quiet room and keep your listening volume comfortable.
Read the bass before naming an inversion
Root position starts on degree 1. First inversion starts on degree 2; second inversion starts on degree 5. This triad has three positions, so a third inversion is unavailable. The slash label shows the sounding bass and the displayed MIDI values let you verify its pitch.
Inversions preserve the root and quality. This tool raises rotated notes by an octave so the selected bass is the lowest note. For an added ninth, the inversion examples use a close pitch-class voicing; root position retains the compound ninth. These are reference voicings, not the only musical arrangements.
Use the individual note buttons to isolate the second against the root. Compare root position and second inversion to see how spacing changes the sound without changing the formula.
Connect the reference to gesture playing
The webcam instrument does not offer a sus2 gesture. Use this camera-free reference for the suspended sound, then return to gesture mode for its supported triads.
The chord laboratory uses buttons and menus for direct note selection. The main gesture instrument uses webcam recognition and has its own supported chord controls. Open that instrument when you want live two-hand performance; the sound and voicing need not match this sine-wave reference exactly.
Spelling, playback and export limits
Sus2 and add9 are different. Add9 keeps the third and adds a ninth; sus2 removes the third. A ninth also sits an octave above the second in this reference voicing.
Note names preserve the chosen root letter and chord degrees. A sharp, flat or double flat may sound the same as a simpler enharmonic name in equal temperament. The tool keeps the theoretical spelling while MIDI numbers show the actual sounding pitches.
The WAV download is a 2.4-second, mono, 44.1 kHz synthesized chord with a short fade. It contains the currently displayed voicing, not the comparison chord, a melody, a guitar fingering or an automatic chord progression. Stop sound cancels playback; Reset returns to C in octave 3 and root position.
Answers before you play
Sus2 Chord Questions
What notes are in C sus2?
C · D · G. Their semitone offsets from C are 0, 2, 7. The displayed spelling follows the formula 1 · 2 · 5.
How is this different from major?
Choose C, play C-D-G, then compare C-E-G. Follow D moving upward to E while C and G stay fixed. Invert the sus2 chord and read the bass label rather than guessing a new root from the lowest note. The two generators share playback controls but use different interval formulas and note collections.
Can I use this without a webcam?
Yes. This chord tool needs no camera, microphone or account. The webcam instrument does not offer a sus2 gesture. Use this camera-free reference for the suspended sound, then return to gesture mode for its supported triads.
Why is an enharmonic note spelled with a sharp or flat?
Chord degrees determine note letters. A theoretically correct spelling may include two accidentals even when a simpler name has the same MIDI pitch. Playback uses equal temperament at A4 = 440 Hz.
What can I do if sound is unavailable?
Check the tab's sound setting and your output device, then press Play chord again. The notes and local WAV download work independently of real-time playback. The page reports a Web Audio error rather than requesting microphone access.