The short version
- Bsus2 is B suspended second. Its notes are B, C♯ and F♯ (formula 1 – 2 – 5).
- Easiest way to play it: a barre on the 2nd fret, frets x 2 4 4 2 2 from low E to high E (x = don’t play).
- It sounds open, airy, undecided. Use it in place of a major or minor chord when you want space, or rock between the sus2 and the full chord for movement.
- Bsus2 turns up in 10 keys: D major (as the VIsus2), A major (as the IIsus2), E major (as the Vsus2), B major (as the Isus2) and F♯ major (as the IVsus2), and more in the table below.
- Can’t barre yet? Capo 2 and play an open Asus2 shape.
How to play Bsus2 on guitar, step by step
Start with the shape marked “Start here” above: the barre chord, root on the 5th string (2nd fret).
- Lay your index finger flat across fret 2, from the 5th (A) string to the 1st (high E) string. That’s the barre: press near the fret wire and roll the finger slightly onto its side.
- Put your middle finger on fret 4 of the 4th (D) string.
- Put your ring finger on fret 4 of the 3rd (G) string.
- Don’t play the low E string: skip it, or touch it lightly with a spare finger so it can’t ring.
- Strum from the 5th (A) string down, then press Strum on this page to check it sounds the same.
Once that’s comfy, try the other shape. Shape 2 is the barre chord, root on the 6th string (7th fret): 7 9 11 11 7 7. Same chord, different spot on the neck, which helps when the next chord lives nearby.
No barre? No problem. Pop a capo on the 2nd fret and play the open Asus2 shape: it comes out as Bsus2. (Capo 4 with an open Gsus2 shape works too.) Barre chords take everyone a few weeks. Mine sounded like a kettle for a month.
Notes in the Bsus2 chord
Bsus2 is built from 3 notes. On guitar you’ll often play some of them twice, on different strings. That’s normal; the chord is still Bsus2.
| Note | Interval | What it does |
|---|---|---|
| B | 1 root | Names the chord and anchors the bass. |
| C♯ | 2 major second | Replaces the third: open and airy. |
| F♯ | 5 perfect fifth | Adds weight; often the first note left out. |
What Bsus2 sounds like, and when to use it
The third is swapped for the second, so the chord refuses to pick a side between happy and sad. Open, shimmery and very “indie band intro”. Use it in place of a major or minor chord when you want space, or rock between the sus2 and the full chord for movement.
What key is Bsus2 in?
Bsus2 turns up in 10 keys: D major (as the VIsus2), A major (as the IIsus2), E major (as the Vsus2), B major (as the Isus2) and F♯ major (as the IVsus2), and more in the table below. Tap a key to see the rest of its chords on the circle of fifths.
| Key | Numeral | Spelled as |
|---|---|---|
| D major | VIsus2 | Bsus2 |
| A major | IIsus2 | Bsus2 |
| E major | Vsus2 | Bsus2 |
| B major | Isus2 | Bsus2 |
| F♯ major | IVsus2 | Bsus2 |
| B minor | Isus2 | Bsus2 |
| F♯ minor | IVsus2 | Bsus2 |
| C♯ minor | VIIsus2 | Bsus2 |
| G♯ minor | IIIsus2 | Bsus2 |
| E♭ minor | VIsus2 | Bsus2 |
Chords that go with Bsus2
Here’s a progression to try: Bsus2 – Esus2 – G♯m – F♯ (Isus2–IVsus2–vi–V), airy indie-pop with a proper landing.
More progressions → Transpose it →
Using Bsus2 in a Suno prompt
Suno pays attention to chord names in a style prompt, at least some of the time. Put the progression in, keep the BPM, and let it fill in the rest. Then compare its guitar part with the shapes above.
Indie pop, 112 BPM, chord progression Bsus2 – Esus2 – G♯m – F♯, shimmering sus2 guitar chords, chorus pedal, airy synth pads, breathy vocals, open and hopeful
Bsus2 chord FAQ
What notes are in the Bsus2 chord?
Bsus2 has 3 notes: B (the root), C♯ (the major second) and F♯ (the perfect fifth). The chord formula is 1 – 2 – 5.
How do you play Bsus2 on guitar?
The medium way is barre chord, root on the 5th string (2nd fret). Strings from low E to high E: x 2 4 4 2 2 (x means don’t play that string). Lay your index finger flat across fret 2, from the 5th (A) string to the 1st (high E) string. That’s the barre: press near the fret wire and roll the finger slightly onto its side. Put your middle finger on fret 4 of the 4th (D) string. Put your ring finger on fret 4 of the 3rd (G) string. Don’t play the low E string: skip it, or touch it lightly with a spare finger so it can’t ring.
What does the “sus2” in Bsus2 mean?
It tells you the chord type: Bsus2 is B suspended second. The third is swapped for the second, so the chord refuses to pick a side between happy and sad. Open, shimmery and very “indie band intro”.
What key is Bsus2 in?
Bsus2 turns up in 10 keys: D major (as the VIsus2), A major (as the IIsus2), E major (as the Vsus2), B major (as the Isus2) and F♯ major (as the IVsus2), and more in the table below. Major keys: D major, A major, E major, B major, F♯ major. Minor keys: B minor, F♯ minor, C♯ minor, G♯ minor, E♭ minor.
What is the difference between Bsus2 and Bsus4?
Both drop the third. Bsus2 replaces it with the second (C♯), which sounds open and airy. Bsus4 uses the fourth (E), which sounds tense and wants to resolve back to B major.
How can I play Bsus2 without a barre?
Use a capo. Put it on the 2nd fret and play the open Asus2 shape or Put it on the 4th fret and play the open Gsus2 shape. It sounds as Bsus2. You can also play just the top three or four strings of the barre shape.
Other sus2 chords
Got the chord? Now write the song
The free Paddy Prompt Studio turns a genre, mood and chord progression into a ready-to-paste Suno style prompt. No signup.
Open the Prompt Studio →