B Sus 4 Chord On The Guitar (B Suspended 4) – Diagrams, Finger Positions and Theory

The B sus 4 chord contains the notes B, E and F#. It is produced by taking the 1 (root), 4 and 5 of the B Major scale. It is essentially an B Major chord, with the 3rd (D#) taken out and the 4th (E) added in.

By omitting the 3rd and adding the 4th, the chord feels ‘suspended‘. The 4th creates a feeling of tension, which feels resolved when the chord moves to the standard Major chord (bringing the 3rd back in). To demonstrate this, try the following chord progression:

B Major – B sus 4 – B Major

Just by strumming those three chords once each, you will hear the the tension that is created by moving to the B sus 4 chord. You will also hear the resolution that is created by moving from the sus chord back to the Major chord.

B sus 4 is often used as a way of adding flavour to the B Major chord. The B sus 4 chord is often substituted momentarily, when playing the B chord, to create a quick sense of musical movement and interest.

The most common way to play the B suspended 4 chord is in the open position (first shape in the pic below).

10 Ways To Play The B Sus 4 Chord

If you’ve come to this page just to view some chord diagrams for B suspended 4, here they are.

B Sus 4 Chord 10 Shapes

Some Quick B Sus 4 Chord Theory

  • The B suspended 4 chord contains the notes B, E and F#.
  • The B sus 4 chord is produced by taking the 1 (root), 4, 5 of the B Major scale.
  • B sus 4 often resolves to B Major. They work together like a pair.
  • The 4th (E) sounds like it is suspended in the chord and wants to resolve.

Further Reading

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