beginner · 3 notes · guitar chord

Bsus4 Chord (B suspended 4th) on Guitar

Bsus4 (B suspended 4th) is made of the notes B – E – F#. The easiest guitar fingering is x24400 (low E to high e; x = muted, 0 = open). It needs 3 fingers and no barre.

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Easiest shape

×EADGBe
x24400
3 fingers

Alternative shape

7frEADGBe
779977
3 fingers · barre

How to play Bsus4

  1. Press the 5th string (A) at fret 2 (B).
  2. Press the 4th string (D) at fret 4 (F#).
  3. Press the 3rd string (G) at fret 4 (B).
  4. Play the 2nd string (B) open (B).
  5. Play the 1st string (high e) open (E).
  6. Do not play the 6th string (low E).
StringFretNoteRole
6th string (low E)x (mute)-
5th string (A)2BR
4th string (D)4F#5
3rd string (G)4BR
2nd string (B)0 (open)BR
1st string (high e)0 (open)E4

5 of 6 strings are sounded in this shape.

What is a B suspended 4th chord?

A suspended 4th chord replaces the third with the fourth note of the scale.

Notes and formula. Bsus4 contains B, E, F#. Counted from the root B, that is R (root), 4 (perfect 4th), 5 (perfect 5th).

Sound. Tense and expectant. The fourth wants to fall back to the third, so the chord begs to resolve.

Where it is used. A staple of rock and pop, from classic riffs to open-chord decorations. It is often played right before the major chord of the same name.

Tips for playing Bsus4

Play the major chord, then add or move one finger to turn it into sus4 and back. This mini-movement is one of the most useful tricks on guitar.

Common mistake: Holding sus4 forever. It works best as a passing colour, resolving to major or minor.

Scales to play over Bsus4

B Major ScaleB Mixolydian Scale

Related chords

Bsus2B majorBmB7F#sus4Esus4Absus4

Bsus4 chord FAQ

What notes are in a Bsus4 chord?

Bsus4 (B suspended 4th) contains the notes B, E, F#. The formula is R–4–5 relative to the root B.

How do you play Bsus4 on guitar?

The most common shape for Bsus4 is x24400, read from the low E string to the high e string (x = muted, 0 = open, numbers = frets). It needs 3 fingers and no barre.

Is Bsus4 an easy guitar chord?

It is rated beginner. It needs 3 fingers and no barre.

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