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B suspended 2nd chord on guitar (Bsus2)
Also called or written Bsus2 or B
B suspended 2nd contains B, C♯, and F♯. The 2nd fret shape is an intermediate barre chord that requires a full index finger across three strings.
How it is built
Formula 1, 2, 5
- Root positionB–C♯–F♯Bsus2×-2-4-4-2-2
- First inversionC♯–F♯–BBsus2/C♯×-4-4-4-2-2
- Second inversionF♯–B–C♯Bsus2/F♯2-2-4-4-2-2
How do you play a B suspended 2nd chord on guitar?
B suspended 2nd is played at the 2nd fret as × 2 4 4 2 2: barre your index finger across fret 2, ring finger on the D string at fret 4 and pinky finger on the G string at fret 4. The low E string stays muted.
Full note and interval breakdown
| String | Fret | Finger | Note |
|---|---|---|---|
| 6 (E) | muted | — | — |
| 5 (A) | 2 | 1 (barre) | B (1) |
| 4 (D) | 4 | 3 | F♯ (5) |
| 3 (G) | 4 | 4 | B (1) |
| 2 (B) | 2 | 1 (barre) | C♯ (2) |
| 1 (e) | 2 | 1 (barre) | F♯ (5) |
IntermediateThe index barre must fret the A, B, and high e strings cleanly while the ring and pinky stretch to the 4th fret.
Bsus2/C♯ inversion · fret 2
B suspended 2nd is played at the 2nd fret as × 4 4 4 2 2: barre your index finger across fret 2, middle finger on the A string at fret 4, ring finger on the D string at fret 4 and pinky finger on the G string at fret 4. The low E string stays muted.
Full note and interval breakdown
| String | Fret | Finger | Note |
|---|---|---|---|
| 6 (E) | muted | — | — |
| 5 (A) | 4 | 2 | C♯ (2) |
| 4 (D) | 4 | 3 | F♯ (5) |
| 3 (G) | 4 | 4 | B (1) |
| 2 (B) | 2 | 1 (barre) | C♯ (2) |
| 1 (e) | 2 | 1 (barre) | F♯ (5) |
Bsus2/C♯ inversion · fret 9
B suspended 2nd is played at the 9th fret as 9 9 9 11 × ×: barre your index finger across fret 9 and pinky finger on the G string at fret 11. The B and high e strings stay muted.
Full note and interval breakdown
| String | Fret | Finger | Note |
|---|---|---|---|
| 6 (E) | 9 | 1 (barre) | C♯ (2) |
| 5 (A) | 9 | 1 (barre) | F♯ (5) |
| 4 (D) | 9 | 1 (barre) | B (1) |
| 3 (G) | 11 | 4 | F♯ (5) |
| 2 (B) | muted | — | — |
| 1 (e) | muted | — | — |
Bsus2/F♯ inversion · 2-2-4-4-2-2
B suspended 2nd is played at the 2nd fret as 2 2 4 4 2 2: barre your index finger across fret 2, ring finger on the D string at fret 4 and pinky finger on the G string at fret 4.
Full note and interval breakdown
| String | Fret | Finger | Note |
|---|---|---|---|
| 6 (E) | 2 | 1 (barre) | F♯ (5) |
| 5 (A) | 2 | 1 (barre) | B (1) |
| 4 (D) | 4 | 3 | F♯ (5) |
| 3 (G) | 4 | 4 | B (1) |
| 2 (B) | 2 | 1 (barre) | C♯ (2) |
| 1 (e) | 2 | 1 (barre) | F♯ (5) |
Bsus2/F♯ inversion · 2-4-4-4-2-2
B suspended 2nd is played at the 2nd fret as 2 4 4 4 2 2: barre your index finger across fret 2, middle finger on the A string at fret 4, ring finger on the D string at fret 4 and pinky finger on the G string at fret 4.
Full note and interval breakdown
| String | Fret | Finger | Note |
|---|---|---|---|
| 6 (E) | 2 | 1 (barre) | F♯ (5) |
| 5 (A) | 4 | 2 | C♯ (2) |
| 4 (D) | 4 | 3 | F♯ (5) |
| 3 (G) | 4 | 4 | B (1) |
| 2 (B) | 2 | 1 (barre) | C♯ (2) |
| 1 (e) | 2 | 1 (barre) | F♯ (5) |
Why it sounds like that
B suspended 2nd is built from the formula 1, 2, 5. The major second interval between B and C♯ replaces the third, giving the chord its suspended quality. Compare this with B major, which uses D♯ instead of C♯.
What goes wrong with B suspended 2nd?
- Letting the 6th string ring through adds an E that is not part of B suspended 2nd.
- Flattening the pinky so it touches the 2nd string and deadens the barre note.
When to use it
B suspended 2nd works in B major progressions like B–E–F♯–B, the I–IV–V–I. It also fits the I–V–vi–IV in B major: B–F♯–G♯ minor–E. Use it in rock, metal, and fusion when you want a suspended color before resolving to B major.
Changing to and from B suspended 2nd
- Slide the shape down one fret to the 1st fret to reach B♭ suspended 2nd.
- Move to B major by lifting the pinky and placing the middle finger on the 3rd string, 4th fret.
Which voicing to use
The 2nd fret position is the standard barre shape. The Bsus2/C♯ inversions put the second in the bass, creating a softer, less grounded sound. The Bsus2/F♯ inversions put the fifth in the bass, giving a more stable but still suspended sound.
Other B chords
Common questions
How do I write B suspended 2nd?
B suspended 2nd is written as B or Bsus2.
What is the difference between B suspended 2nd and B add 9?
B suspended 2nd omits the third entirely, leaving only B, C♯, and F♯. B add 9 includes the major third D♯ along with the ninth C♯, so it sounds fuller and more resolved.
Can B suspended 2nd be used in place of B minor?
B suspended 2nd has no third, so it is neither major nor minor. It can substitute for B minor in some contexts, but it will sound more open and less dark.