The short version
- Bsus4 is B suspended fourth. Its notes are B, E and F♯ (formula 1 – 4 – 5).
- Easiest way to play it: a barre on the 2nd fret, frets x 2 4 4 5 2 from low E to high E (x = don’t play).
- It sounds tense, then relieved. Play it for a beat, then drop back to the major chord. It’s the guitar equivalent of raising an eyebrow.
- Bsus4 turns up in 10 keys: G major (as the IIIsus4), D major (as the VIsus4), A major (as the IIsus4), E major (as the Vsus4) and B major (as the Isus4), and more in the table below.
- Can’t barre yet? Capo 2 and play an open Asus4 shape.
How to play Bsus4 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.
- Put your little finger on fret 5 of the 2nd (B) 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 9 9 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 Asus4 shape: it comes out as Bsus4. (Capo 4 with an open Gsus4 shape works too.) Barre chords take everyone a few weeks. Mine sounded like a kettle for a month.
Notes in the Bsus4 chord
Bsus4 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 Bsus4.
| Note | Interval | What it does |
|---|---|---|
| B | 1 root | Names the chord and anchors the bass. |
| E | 4 perfect fourth | Replaces the third: tense, wants to resolve. |
| F♯ | 5 perfect fifth | Adds weight; often the first note left out. |
What Bsus4 sounds like, and when to use it
The third is swapped for the fourth, which creates a little tension. Resolve it back to the major chord and everyone relaxes. Classic rock does this about every eight bars. Play it for a beat, then drop back to the major chord. It’s the guitar equivalent of raising an eyebrow.
What key is Bsus4 in?
Bsus4 turns up in 10 keys: G major (as the IIIsus4), D major (as the VIsus4), A major (as the IIsus4), E major (as the Vsus4) and B major (as the Isus4), 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 |
|---|---|---|
| G major | IIIsus4 | Bsus4 |
| D major | VIsus4 | Bsus4 |
| A major | IIsus4 | Bsus4 |
| E major | Vsus4 | Bsus4 |
| B major | Isus4 | Bsus4 |
| E minor | Vsus4 | Bsus4 |
| B minor | Isus4 | Bsus4 |
| F♯ minor | IVsus4 | Bsus4 |
| C♯ minor | VIIsus4 | Bsus4 |
| G♯ minor | IIIsus4 | Bsus4 |
Chords that go with Bsus4
Here’s a progression to try: Bsus4 – B – E – F♯ (Isus4–I–IV–V), tension, release, then the classic rock trio.
More progressions → Transpose it →
Using Bsus4 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.
Classic rock, 120 BPM, chord progression Bsus4 – B – E – F♯, jangly sus4 to major guitar hooks, driving drums, anthemic chorus, confident male vocals
Bsus4 chord FAQ
What notes are in the Bsus4 chord?
Bsus4 has 3 notes: B (the root), E (the perfect fourth) and F♯ (the perfect fifth). The chord formula is 1 – 4 – 5.
How do you play Bsus4 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 5 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. Put your little finger on fret 5 of the 2nd (B) 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 “sus4” in Bsus4 mean?
It tells you the chord type: Bsus4 is B suspended fourth. The third is swapped for the fourth, which creates a little tension. Resolve it back to the major chord and everyone relaxes. Classic rock does this about every eight bars.
What key is Bsus4 in?
Bsus4 turns up in 10 keys: G major (as the IIIsus4), D major (as the VIsus4), A major (as the IIsus4), E major (as the Vsus4) and B major (as the Isus4), and more in the table below. Major keys: G major, D major, A major, E major, B major. Minor keys: E minor, B minor, F♯ minor, C♯ minor, G♯ minor.
What is the difference between Bsus4 and Bsus2?
Bsus4 swaps the third for the fourth (E), which is tense. Bsus2 uses the second (C♯) instead, which is airier and doesn’t need to resolve.
How can I play Bsus4 without a barre?
Use a capo. Put it on the 2nd fret and play the open Asus4 shape or Put it on the 4th fret and play the open Gsus4 shape. It sounds as Bsus4. You can also play just the top three or four strings of the barre shape.
Other sus4 chords
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