In this super simple guitar lesson you’ll learn how to play a Sus2 arpeggio.
You’ll learn a one-octave shape using the Gsus2 arpeggio, and then you’ll look at a tab that will show you how to play the arpeggio with sweep picking and tapping.
What is a Sus2 arpeggio?
Let’s define the sus2 arpeggio/ chord.
To build a suspended 2nd (sus2) chord, you’ll take the root note, 2nd degree, and 5th degree of a scale and play them one note at a time, then play them in harmony.
But, if you play 1 note at a time, you’ll create the sus2 apreggio.
Gsus2 Example
For example, if you’re playing with the root note G, you’ll get the notes:
G (1/ Root)
A (2/ 2nd)
D (5/ 5th)
Those notes form your arpeggio.
And the easiest way to play the 2nd and 5th is to use your ring finger to bar the 5th fret of the low E and A strings. Alternatively, you could play the notes with your ring and pinky fingers (5th fret low E and 5th fret A).
How to sweep it
Use the 2nd measure in the tab below to learn the sus2 sweep picking shapes, moving in octaves.
The sweep picking pattern is:
Down-Hammer-Up
How to tap it
You can also play the arpeggio with tapping. This is shown in the 3rd measure of the tabs below.
On the E string, we’ll play the notes G, A, and D at the 3rd, 5th, and 10th frets. You’ll tap the 10th fret, then use your 1st and 3rd fingers to play the 3rd and 5th frets using hammer-ons.
Inverting it
To invert it, you’ll play the notes D-G-A. This is shown in the 4th measure of the tabs, and this tapping lick is played on the A string.
Tap the A note (fret 12), then play the D and G notes (frets 5 and 10) using your 1st and 4th fingers.
