Explore chords · Guitar
B 7th suspended 4th chord on guitar (B7sus4)
Also called or written B7sus4, B or B Dominant 7th Suspended 4th
B 7th suspended 4th contains B, E, F♯ and A. The open voicing mutes the low E string and uses three fretted notes on the A, D and G strings.
How it is built
Formula 1, 4, 5, ♭7
- Root positionB–E–F♯–AB7sus4×-2-2-2-0-2
- First inversionE–F♯–A–BB7sus4/E0-0-2-2-0-2
- Second inversionF♯–A–B–EB7sus4/F♯2-0-2-2-0-0
- Third inversionA–B–E–F♯B7sus4/A×-0-2-2-0-2
How do you play a B 7th suspended 4th chord on guitar?
B 7th suspended 4th is played in open position as × 2 2 2 0 2: index finger on the A string at fret 2, middle finger on the D string at fret 2, ring finger on the G string at fret 2 and pinky finger on the high e string at fret 2. The B string rings open. The low E string stays muted.
Full note and interval breakdown
| String | Fret | Finger | Note |
|---|---|---|---|
| 6 (E) | muted | — | — |
| 5 (A) | 2 | 1 | B (1) |
| 4 (D) | 2 | 2 | E (4) |
| 3 (G) | 2 | 3 | A (♭7) |
| 2 (B) | open | — | B (1) |
| 1 (e) | 2 | 4 | F♯ (5) |
AdvancedThe index, middle and ring fingers must fret adjacent strings at the 2nd fret while the pinky reaches the high E string, leaving the B string open.
7th fret · 7-7-7-9-7-7
B 7th suspended 4th is played at the 7th fret as 7 7 7 9 7 7: barre your index finger across fret 7 and pinky finger on the G string at fret 9.
Full note and interval breakdown
| String | Fret | Finger | Note |
|---|---|---|---|
| 6 (E) | 7 | 1 (barre) | B (1) |
| 5 (A) | 7 | 1 (barre) | E (4) |
| 4 (D) | 7 | 1 (barre) | A (♭7) |
| 3 (G) | 9 | 4 | E (4) |
| 2 (B) | 7 | 1 (barre) | F♯ (5) |
| 1 (e) | 7 | 1 (barre) | B (1) |
7th fret · 7-9-7-9-7-7
B 7th suspended 4th is played at the 7th fret as 7 9 7 9 7 7: barre your index finger across fret 7, ring finger on the A string at fret 9 and pinky finger on the G string at fret 9.
Full note and interval breakdown
| String | Fret | Finger | Note |
|---|---|---|---|
| 6 (E) | 7 | 1 (barre) | B (1) |
| 5 (A) | 9 | 3 | F♯ (5) |
| 4 (D) | 7 | 1 (barre) | A (♭7) |
| 3 (G) | 9 | 4 | E (4) |
| 2 (B) | 7 | 1 (barre) | F♯ (5) |
| 1 (e) | 7 | 1 (barre) | B (1) |
B7sus4/E inversion · 0-0-2-2-0-2
B 7th suspended 4th is played in open position as 0 0 2 2 0 2: index finger on the D string at fret 2, middle finger on the G string at fret 2 and ring finger on the high e string at fret 2. The low E, A and B strings ring open.
Full note and interval breakdown
| String | Fret | Finger | Note |
|---|---|---|---|
| 6 (E) | open | — | E (4) |
| 5 (A) | open | — | A (♭7) |
| 4 (D) | 2 | 1 | E (4) |
| 3 (G) | 2 | 2 | A (♭7) |
| 2 (B) | open | — | B (1) |
| 1 (e) | 2 | 3 | F♯ (5) |
B7sus4/E inversion · 0-2-2-2-0-2
B 7th suspended 4th is played in open position as 0 2 2 2 0 2: index finger on the A string at fret 2, middle finger on the D string at fret 2, ring finger on the G string at fret 2 and pinky finger on the high e string at fret 2. The low E and B strings ring open.
Full note and interval breakdown
| String | Fret | Finger | Note |
|---|---|---|---|
| 6 (E) | open | — | E (4) |
| 5 (A) | 2 | 1 | B (1) |
| 4 (D) | 2 | 2 | E (4) |
| 3 (G) | 2 | 3 | A (♭7) |
| 2 (B) | open | — | B (1) |
| 1 (e) | 2 | 4 | F♯ (5) |
Why it sounds like that
B 7th suspended 4th is built from the formula 1, 4, 5, ♭7. The perfect 4th between B and E replaces the major 3rd, suspending the chord. Compare it to B suspended 4th, which omits the minor 7th.
What goes wrong with B 7th suspended 4th?
- Letting the low E string ring instead of muting it, which adds an unwanted bass note.
- Touching the open B string with the ring finger, muting it.
When to use it
B 7th suspended 4th works as the V chord in E major, resolving to E major in a I–IV–V–I progression. It also fits B minor and B 5th contexts. The suspended 4th creates tension before a resolution to B major.
Changing to and from B 7th suspended 4th
- Move to B minor by lifting the pinky from the high E string and placing it on the B string at the 3rd fret, while keeping the A, D and G strings fretted.
Which voicing to use
The open position is the default and keeps B in the bass. The B7sus4/E inversion at the open position puts E in the bass, softening the root. Choose the root-position shape for a firm foundation.
Other B chords
Common questions
What mistake do players make with the open B7sus4 shape?
The low E string is often left to ring, which adds an E below the B bass and muddies the voicing. Mute it with the thumb or a light palm touch.
How does B7sus4 differ from B minor 7th?
B7sus4 replaces the minor 3rd D with the perfect 4th E. B minor 7th contains D, while B7sus4 contains E, creating a suspended sound.
What is the easiest B7sus4 voicing for a beginner?
The B7sus4/E inversion at the open position is the easiest, using open strings and two fretted notes. It puts E in the bass, which softens the root.