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F 7th suspended 4th chord on guitar (F7sus4)
Also called or written F7sus4, F or F Dominant 7th Suspended 4th
F 7th suspended 4th contains F, B♭, C and E♭. The default voicing is a full six-string barre at the 1st fret, with the pinky stretching to the 3rd fret on the G string.
How it is built
Formula 1, 4, 5, ♭7
- Root positionF–B♭–C–E♭F7sus41-1-1-3-1-1
- First inversionB♭–C–E♭–FF7sus4/B♭×-1-1-3-1-1
- Second inversionC–E♭–F–B♭F7sus4/C×-3-1-3-1-1
- Third inversionE♭–F–B♭–CF7sus4/E♭×-×-1-3-1-1
How do you play an F 7th suspended 4th chord on guitar?
F 7th suspended 4th is played at the 1st fret as 1 1 1 3 1 1: barre your index finger across fret 1 and pinky finger on the G string at fret 3.
Full note and interval breakdown
| String | Fret | Finger | Note |
|---|---|---|---|
| 6 (E) | 1 | 1 (barre) | F (1) |
| 5 (A) | 1 | 1 (barre) | B♭ (4) |
| 4 (D) | 1 | 1 (barre) | E♭ (♭7) |
| 3 (G) | 3 | 4 | B♭ (4) |
| 2 (B) | 1 | 1 (barre) | C (5) |
| 1 (e) | 1 | 1 (barre) | F (1) |
AdvancedThe index finger must barre all six strings at the 1st fret while the pinky reaches the 3rd fret on the G string, requiring strength and stretch.
1st fret · 1-3-1-3-1-1
F 7th suspended 4th is played at the 1st fret as 1 3 1 3 1 1: barre your index finger across fret 1, ring finger on the A string at fret 3 and pinky finger on the G string at fret 3.
Full note and interval breakdown
| String | Fret | Finger | Note |
|---|---|---|---|
| 6 (E) | 1 | 1 (barre) | F (1) |
| 5 (A) | 3 | 3 | C (5) |
| 4 (D) | 1 | 1 (barre) | E♭ (♭7) |
| 3 (G) | 3 | 4 | B♭ (4) |
| 2 (B) | 1 | 1 (barre) | C (5) |
| 1 (e) | 1 | 1 (barre) | F (1) |
13th fret · 13-13-13-15-13-13
F 7th suspended 4th is played at the 13th fret as 13 13 13 15 13 13: barre your index finger across fret 13 and pinky finger on the G string at fret 15.
Full note and interval breakdown
| String | Fret | Finger | Note |
|---|---|---|---|
| 6 (E) | 13 | 1 (barre) | F (1) |
| 5 (A) | 13 | 1 (barre) | B♭ (4) |
| 4 (D) | 13 | 1 (barre) | E♭ (♭7) |
| 3 (G) | 15 | 4 | B♭ (4) |
| 2 (B) | 13 | 1 (barre) | C (5) |
| 1 (e) | 13 | 1 (barre) | F (1) |
13th fret · 13-15-13-15-13-13
F 7th suspended 4th is played at the 13th fret as 13 15 13 15 13 13: barre your index finger across fret 13, ring finger on the A string at fret 15 and pinky finger on the G string at fret 15.
Full note and interval breakdown
| String | Fret | Finger | Note |
|---|---|---|---|
| 6 (E) | 13 | 1 (barre) | F (1) |
| 5 (A) | 15 | 3 | C (5) |
| 4 (D) | 13 | 1 (barre) | E♭ (♭7) |
| 3 (G) | 15 | 4 | B♭ (4) |
| 2 (B) | 13 | 1 (barre) | C (5) |
| 1 (e) | 13 | 1 (barre) | F (1) |
F7sus4/B♭ inversion
F 7th suspended 4th is played at the 1st fret as × 1 1 3 1 1: barre your index finger across fret 1 and pinky finger on the G string at fret 3. The low E string stays muted.
Full note and interval breakdown
| String | Fret | Finger | Note |
|---|---|---|---|
| 6 (E) | muted | — | — |
| 5 (A) | 1 | 1 (barre) | B♭ (4) |
| 4 (D) | 1 | 1 (barre) | E♭ (♭7) |
| 3 (G) | 3 | 4 | B♭ (4) |
| 2 (B) | 1 | 1 (barre) | C (5) |
| 1 (e) | 1 | 1 (barre) | F (1) |
Why it sounds like that
F 7th suspended 4th is built from the formula 1, 4, 5, ♭7. The perfect 4th between F and B♭ replaces the major 3rd, suspending the chord. Compare it to F suspended 4th, which omits the minor 7th.
What goes wrong with F 7th suspended 4th?
- Buzzing on the B or high E string because the barre is uneven.
- Letting the pinky flatten and touch the D or B string, muting them.
When to use it
F 7th suspended 4th works as the V chord in B♭ major, resolving to B♭ major in a I–IV–V–I progression. It also fits F minor and F 5th contexts. The suspended 4th creates tension before a resolution to F major.
Changing to and from F 7th suspended 4th
- Move to F minor by lifting the pinky and placing it on the G string at the 1st fret, while keeping the barre at the 1st fret.
Which voicing to use
The 1st fret barre voicing is the default and keeps F in the bass. The F7sus4/B♭ inversion at the 1st fret puts B♭ in the bass, softening the root. Choose the root-position shape for a firm foundation.
Other F chords
Common questions
What mistake do players make with the F7sus4 barre?
The pinky often fails to press the G string at the 3rd fret cleanly, causing a muted note. Keep the pinky arched and close to the fret.
How does F7sus4 differ from F minor 7th?
F7sus4 replaces the minor 3rd A♭ with the perfect 4th B♭. F minor 7th contains A♭, while F7sus4 contains B♭, creating a suspended sound.
Is there an easier F7sus4 voicing than the 1st fret barre?
The F7sus4/B♭ inversion at the 1st fret uses a partial barre and omits the low E string, making it easier for some players. It puts B♭ in the bass, which changes the sound.