The B sus4 guitar chord is a captivating and versatile chord, adding a unique flavor to your guitar playing. As part of the suspended chord family, the B sus4 is known for its open, unresolved sound, distinct from typical major or minor chords. This characteristic stems from the absence of the third interval, a defining element in most chord types. Instead, the B sus4 chord features the notes B, E, and F#, built upon the 1st (Root), 4th (Perfect Fourth), and 5th (Perfect Fifth) intervals.
Suspended chords like B sus4 are invaluable for creating musical tension and release, making them a favorite in genres ranging from pop and rock to folk and jazz. Understanding and playing the B sus4 chord will significantly enhance your guitar vocabulary and add depth to your musical expression. If you’re unfamiliar with chord construction based on intervals, exploring resources like our comprehensive guide on chord construction and our detailed fretboard intervals tutorial will provide a solid foundation.
In this guide, we will provide you with clear chord diagrams and fretboard patterns to visualize the notes that compose the B sus4 chord across the guitar neck. For a deeper understanding of chord naming conventions and interval-based notation, our tutorial on chord notation is an excellent resource.
Whether you are a beginner guitarist seeking to broaden your chord knowledge or an experienced player aiming to explore music theory more deeply, mastering the B sus4 chord is a valuable step forward. Let’s delve into the world of the B sus4 and unlock its musical potential!
Dissecting the B sus4 Chord: Notes and Structure
The B sus4 chord is formed by three fundamental notes:
- B: The root note, giving the chord its name.
- E: The suspended fourth, replacing the major or minor third.
- F#: The perfect fifth, providing stability to the chord.
These notes create a unique interval structure:
| Interval | Note |
|---|---|
| 1 (Root) | B |
| 4 (Perfect Fourth) | E |
| 5 (Perfect Fifth) | F# |
This structure is what gives the B sus4 its characteristic “suspended” sound, creating a sense of anticipation and resolution.
Exploring B sus4 Chord Positions on the Guitar
Chord diagrams are an essential tool for learning guitar chords. They visually represent the fretboard, showing you where to place your fingers to play the chord. The following diagrams illustrate various positions for playing the B sus4 chord, ordered from easier to more challenging. If you’re new to reading chord diagrams, our guide on how to read chord diagrams will be helpful. And if barre chords present a challenge, our Bar Chords Tips tutorial offers valuable techniques.
For a text-based representation of these diagrams, you can also visit our accessible chords page for written instructions.
Position 1: Open Position B sus4
This is often the first B sus4 position guitarists learn, utilizing open strings for a full, resonant sound.
B sus4 chord open position diagram
Position 2: Barre Chord B sus4 (Movable Shape)
This barre chord shape is movable, meaning you can slide it up and down the neck to play different sus4 chords.
B sus4 barre chord position 2 diagram
Position 3: Barre Chord B sus4 (Movable Shape)
Another movable barre chord variation, offering a different voicing of the B sus4 chord.
B sus4 barre chord position 3 diagram
Position 4: Barre Chord B sus4 (Movable Shape)
This position provides yet another barre chord option for playing B sus4, useful for transitioning from other barre chords in different songs.
B sus4 chord open position diagram
Position 5: Barre Chord B sus4 (Movable Shape)
The final barre chord position shown here gives you a higher voicing of the B sus4 chord on the fretboard.
B sus4 barre chord position 5 diagram
Explore our extensive all guitar chords library for even more chord shapes. For a handy reference guide, download our Free Guitar Chords Chart Pdf.
B sus4 and Beyond: Exploring Other Sus4 Chords
Expand your suspended chord repertoire by learning other sus4 chords! Here are some common sus4 chords with different root notes:
C sus4 | D sus4 | E sus4 | F sus4 | G sus4 | A sus4 | B sus4 | C#sus4 | D#sus4 | F#sus4 | G#sus4 | A#sus4 | Absus4 | Bbsus4 | Dbsus4 | Ebsus4 | Gbsus4
Crafting Your Own B sus4 Voicings
The fretboard map below visualizes the notes of the B sus4 chord across the guitar neck. Use this map to create your own unique fingerings and explore different voicings for the B sus4 chord in various positions. Simply play combinations of the highlighted notes to create a B sus4 chord anywhere on the fretboard.
0 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 14 15
4
5
1
4
5
1
4
5
1
4
5
1
4
1
4
5
1
4
5
1
4
5
1
4
5
Conclusion
The B sus4 guitar chord is a valuable addition to any guitarist’s toolkit. Its unique sound and versatile nature make it useful in many musical styles. By mastering the various positions and understanding its construction, you can effectively incorporate the B sus4 chord into your playing and songwriting. Experiment with these shapes, explore different musical contexts, and unlock the expressive potential of the B sus4 chord!
