Tools / Chords / B 7th suspended 4th

B 7th suspended 4th chord on guitar (B7sus4)

Also 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.

Open×-2-2-2-0-2

Positions on the neck1 of 5

How it’s built

B1Root

E4Perfect 4th

F♯5Perfect 5th

A♭7Minor 7th

Formula 1, 4, 5, ♭7

Positions on the neck1 of 5

Inversions

The same three notes, with a different one in the bass.

Root positionB–E–F♯–AB7sus4Bass B

First inversionE–F♯–A–BB7sus4/EBass E

Second inversionF♯–A–B–EB7sus4/F♯Bass F♯

Third inversionA–B–E–F♯B7sus4/ABass A

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.

How do you play a B 7th suspended 4th chord on guitar?

Open

Beginner● On the diagram

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.

Tip — The 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.

String-by-string 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)

7th fret · 7-7-7-9-7-7

Barre

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.

String-by-string 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

Barre

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.

String-by-string 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

Beginner

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.

String-by-string 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

Beginner

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.

String-by-string 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)

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.

String

Fret

Finger

Note

6 (E)

muted

—

5 (A)

B (1)

4 (D)

E (4)

3 (G)

A (♭7)

2 (B)

open

—

B (1)

1 (e)

F♯ (5)

String

Fret

Finger

Note

6 (E)

1 (barre)

B (1)

5 (A)

1 (barre)

E (4)

4 (D)

1 (barre)

A (♭7)

3 (G)

E (4)

2 (B)

1 (barre)

F♯ (5)

1 (e)

1 (barre)

B (1)

String

Fret

Finger

Note

6 (E)

1 (barre)

B (1)

5 (A)

F♯ (5)

4 (D)

1 (barre)

A (♭7)

3 (G)

E (4)

2 (B)

1 (barre)

F♯ (5)

1 (e)

1 (barre)

B (1)

String

Fret

Finger

Note

6 (E)

open

—

E (4)

5 (A)

open

—

A (♭7)

4 (D)

E (4)

3 (G)

A (♭7)

2 (B)

open

—

B (1)

1 (e)

F♯ (5)

String

Fret

Finger

Note

6 (E)

open

—

E (4)

5 (A)

B (1)

4 (D)

E (4)

3 (G)

A (♭7)

2 (B)

open

—

B (1)

1 (e)

F♯ (5)