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Bsus4 Chord

Bsus4 holds E, the fourth, where a major chord would use its third. Letting that fourth move to the third is the small release to listen for.

  • Notes: B-E-F sharp
  • Symbol: Bsus4
  • Vsus4 in E major
  • Fourth instead of third
Switch chordBsus4

How to play a Bsus4 chord

Notes: B - E - F# · symbol Bsus4

  • Root position

    B - E - F#
    C4C5
    Right hand 1-3-5 · Left 5-3-1

  • 1st inversion

    E - F# - B
    C4C5
    Right hand 1-2-5 · Left 5-3-1

  • 2nd inversion

    F# - B - E
    C4C5
    Right hand 1-3-5 · Left 5-2-1

Where does Bsus4 belong?

The fourth takes the third's place, making Bsus4 useful as a brief delay before the major chord.
Play the role cards to hear how its surrounding chords change the job it does; Diatonic Chords explains the basic numbered roles.

  • In E majorDelayed dominant
    Vsus4

    The fourth holds back the third for a moment before the V resolves to E.

    EIBsus4Vsus4BVEI
  • In B majorSuspension and release
    Isus4

    Lift the third to the fourth and let it fall back: a classic rhythm guitar move.

    BIBsus4Isus4BI

Progressions to try

  • EBsus4BE

    Hold Bsus4 before the ordinary major chord on the same root; the suspended note then resolves into the third.

  • BBsus4B

    The home chord briefly becomes Bsus4 and releases without changing the bass.

Which shape should you use?

On guitar, start with x22452, a barre at the 2nd fret. Press the barred notes evenly and mute any strings marked x. The 779977 shape gives you another position when the neighboring chords sit elsewhere on the neck.

On ukulele, start with 4422, played at the 2nd fret. The 9677 grip moves the chord to another register.

On piano, play B-E-F sharp. Move B up an octave to reach the first inversion, E-F sharp-B; the notes remain the same while the lowest voice changes.

What are the inversions?

B is the root, E the fourth and F sharp the fifth. There is no third in this chord.

  • Root position: B-E-F sharp, with B lowest.
  • First inversion: E-F sharp-B, written Bsus4/E if E is lowest in the whole arrangement.
  • Second inversion: F sharp-B-E, written Bsus4/F# if F sharp is lowest in the whole arrangement.

A slash chord names the note in the bass, not merely the lowest note under one hand. Chord Inversions shows how to read that distinction.

How does Bsus4 differ from B?

Keep B and F sharp while E moves down to D sharp. That resolves Bsus4 into B; the root and fifth never moved. Try that one-note change on piano, then use the comparer to hear it in the full chord. See B for the other chord's full spelling and roles.

  • Bsus4

    B - E - F#
    C4

    B sus4

  • B

    B - D# - F#
    C4

    B major

Try another chord