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Ukulele chords

E♭ sus2 (E♭sus2) chord on ukulele

The E♭ sus2 chord (E♭sus2) is a sus2 chord (a major second instead of the third), made of three notes: E♭ – F – B♭. The same chord with a different spelling: D♯ sus2 (D♯sus2).

Dots show:
E♭sus2 – Basic shape134GCEAB♭E♭FB♭
Basic shapeeasy
E♭sus2 – Position 33.1344GCEAB♭FB♭E♭
Position 3medium
E♭sus2 – Position 55.4123GCEAE♭FB♭E♭
Position 5medium
E♭sus2 – Position 88.3341GCEAFB♭E♭F
Position 8medium

Tap a string on a diagram to hear just that string. The sound is generated in your browser with a physical string model.

What the E♭sus2 chord sounds like

In a sus2 chord a major second replaces the third, so it is neither major nor minor: it sounds open and floating. It often decorates a major or minor chord.

Notes of the E♭sus2 chord

DegreeNoteInterval from the root
1E♭root
2Fmajor second (2 semitones)
5B♭perfect fifth (7 semitones)

How to play it – with fingering

Basic shape, barre at fret 1

  • String 1 (A): fret 1, index finger (B♭4)
  • String 2 (E): fret 1, index finger (F4)
  • String 3 (C): fret 3, little finger (E♭4)
  • String 4 (G): fret 3, ring finger (B♭4)

For the barre, lay your index finger flat across all the marked strings at fret 1; your other fingers press the higher frets.

Position 3

  • String 1 (A): fret 6, little finger (E♭5)
  • String 2 (E): fret 6, little finger (B♭4)
  • String 3 (C): fret 5, ring finger (F4)
  • String 4 (G): fret 3, index finger (B♭4)

Position 5

  • String 1 (A): fret 6, ring finger (E♭5)
  • String 2 (E): fret 6, middle finger (B♭4)
  • String 3 (C): fret 5, index finger (F4)
  • String 4 (G): fret 8, little finger (E♭5)

Tuning: G C E A (the G string is higher than the C – standard re-entrant ukulele tuning). In the diagram, × means the string is not played, and a circle means an open string.

Which keys is it in?

The E♭sus2 chord is built from the notes of these keys (for minor keys, both the natural and the harmonic minor are considered):

  • E♭ major: Isus2 (tonic)
  • E♭ minor: Isus2 (tonic)
  • A♭ major: Vsus2 (dominant)
  • B♭ major: IVsus2 (subdominant)
  • B♭ minor: IVsus2 (subdominant)
  • G♭ major: VIsus2
  • D♭ major: IIsus2
  • F minor: VIIsus2
  • C minor: IIIsus2
  • G minor: VIsus2

Similar chords and substitutes

If E♭sus2 is too hard, or you want a different colour in the same spot, these chords are worth a try.

Substitutes (by function)

  • E♭ – resolves the suspension to major
  • E♭m – or to minor

Same notes

  • B♭sus4 – the same notes with a different root

Richer versions

  • E♭add9 – the same chord plus 1 colour note
  • E♭9 – the same chord plus 2 colour notes
  • E♭m9 – the same chord plus 2 colour notes
  • E♭maj9 – the same chord plus 2 colour notes

Frequently asked questions

What notes are in the E♭sus2 chord?

E♭, F, B♭. The root is E♭; the intervals of the other notes from the root: major second, perfect fifth.

What is the easiest way to play E♭sus2 on ukulele?

The easiest shape above is “Basic shape”, rated easy. We show 4 shapes, from open and easy versions to movable barre shapes higher up the neck.

How do I read the chord diagram?

Strings run from the lowest (left) to the highest (right) – tick “Left-handed” to mirror it. Rows are frets; a number at the side shows the starting fret. Dots are fingers (1 index, 2 middle, 3 ring, 4 little), a long bar is a barre, × means don't play that string and ○ means play it open.

How is the E♭sus2 chord written?

The chord symbol is E♭sus2 (also written Ebsus2), and its full name is E♭ sus2.

Related chords

The same chord on another instrument:

E♭sus2 on guitarE♭sus2 on pianoE♭sus2 on mandolinE♭sus2 on banjo

Other E♭ chords on ukulele:

E♭E♭mE♭7E♭maj7E♭m7E♭sus4E♭7sus4E♭6E♭m6E♭add9E♭dimE♭augE♭dim7E♭m7b5E♭9E♭m9E♭maj9E♭11E♭13

All ukulele chords in a table →

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Photos: Isak Photography, 42 North, Rachel Loughman, Vitaly Gariev, Vitaly Gariev, Isaac Martin / Unsplash