The short version
- Fsus4 is F suspended fourth. Its notes are F, B♭ and C (formula 1 – 4 – 5).
- Easiest way to play it: a barre on the 1st fret, frets 1 3 3 3 1 1 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.
- Fsus4 turns up in 10 keys: D♭ major (as the IIIsus4), A♭ major (as the VIsus4), E♭ major (as the IIsus4), B♭ major (as the Vsus4) and F major (as the Isus4), and more in the table below.
- Can’t barre yet? Capo 1 and play an open Esus4 shape.
How to play Fsus4 on guitar, step by step
Start with the shape marked “Start here” above: the barre chord, root on the 6th string (1st fret).
- Lay your index finger flat across fret 1, from the 6th (low E) 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 3 of the 5th (A) string.
- Put your ring finger on fret 3 of the 4th (D) string.
- Put your little finger on fret 3 of the 3rd (G) string.
- Strum from the 6th (low E) 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 5th string (8th fret): x 8 10 10 11 8. Same chord, different spot on the neck, which helps when the next chord lives nearby.
No barre? No problem. Pop a capo on the 1st fret and play the open Esus4 shape: it comes out as Fsus4. (Capo 3 with an open Dsus4 shape works too.) Barre chords take everyone a few weeks. Mine sounded like a kettle for a month.
Notes in the Fsus4 chord
Fsus4 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 Fsus4.
| Note | Interval | What it does |
|---|---|---|
| F | 1 root | Names the chord and anchors the bass. |
| B♭ | 4 perfect fourth | Replaces the third: tense, wants to resolve. |
| C | 5 perfect fifth | Adds weight; often the first note left out. |
What Fsus4 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 Fsus4 in?
Fsus4 turns up in 10 keys: D♭ major (as the IIIsus4), A♭ major (as the VIsus4), E♭ major (as the IIsus4), B♭ major (as the Vsus4) and F 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 |
|---|---|---|
| D♭ major | IIIsus4 | Fsus4 |
| A♭ major | VIsus4 | Fsus4 |
| E♭ major | IIsus4 | Fsus4 |
| B♭ major | Vsus4 | Fsus4 |
| F major | Isus4 | Fsus4 |
| B♭ minor | Vsus4 | Fsus4 |
| F minor | Isus4 | Fsus4 |
| C minor | IVsus4 | Fsus4 |
| G minor | VIIsus4 | Fsus4 |
| D minor | IIIsus4 | Fsus4 |
Chords that go with Fsus4
Here’s a progression to try: Fsus4 – F – B♭ – C (Isus4–I–IV–V), tension, release, then the classic rock trio.
More progressions → Transpose it →
Using Fsus4 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 Fsus4 – F – B♭ – C, jangly sus4 to major guitar hooks, driving drums, anthemic chorus, confident male vocals
Fsus4 chord FAQ
What notes are in the Fsus4 chord?
Fsus4 has 3 notes: F (the root), B♭ (the perfect fourth) and C (the perfect fifth). The chord formula is 1 – 4 – 5.
How do you play Fsus4 on guitar?
The medium way is barre chord, root on the 6th string (1st fret). Strings from low E to high E: 1 3 3 3 1 1 (x means don’t play that string). Lay your index finger flat across fret 1, from the 6th (low E) 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 3 of the 5th (A) string. Put your ring finger on fret 3 of the 4th (D) string. Put your little finger on fret 3 of the 3rd (G) string.
What does the “sus4” in Fsus4 mean?
It tells you the chord type: Fsus4 is F 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 Fsus4 in?
Fsus4 turns up in 10 keys: D♭ major (as the IIIsus4), A♭ major (as the VIsus4), E♭ major (as the IIsus4), B♭ major (as the Vsus4) and F major (as the Isus4), 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, D minor.
What is the difference between Fsus4 and Fsus2?
Fsus4 swaps the third for the fourth (B♭), which is tense. Fsus2 uses the second (G) instead, which is airier and doesn’t need to resolve.
How can I play Fsus4 without a barre?
Use a capo. Put it on the 1st fret and play the open Esus4 shape or Put it on the 3rd fret and play the open Dsus4 shape. It sounds as Fsus4. You can also play just the top three or four strings of the barre shape.
Other sus4 chords
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