Also written B7sus4, B or B Dominant 7th Suspended 4th
B 7th suspended 4th is built from B, E, F♯, and A. Its four notes sit across a wide fret span, making it a stretch for smaller hands.
The same three notes, with a different one in the bass.
B 7th suspended 4th uses the formula 1, 4, 5, ♭7. The perfect 4th from B to E replaces the major 3rd, creating its suspended sound. The minor 7th from B to A adds dominant tension. Compare it to B suspended 4th, which omits the 7th.
B 7th suspended 4th works as the V chord in E major, resolving to E major in progressions like I–IV–V–I (E major–A major–B major–E major). Its suspended quality suits folk, country, and laid-back rock. Use it to delay resolution in a E major progression. Compare B minor.
The E inversion with frets 4-4-2-0 puts the 4th in the bass, giving a soft, unresolved feel. The F♯ inversion at 4-6-5-7 has a brighter, more forward sound. For a root-position voicing, use the 11th fret shape.
B 7th suspended 4th is played in open position as 4 4 2 0: middle finger on the G string at fret 4, ring finger on the C string at fret 4 and index finger on the E string at fret 2. The A string rings open.
Tip — The stretch from the 2nd fret E string to the 4th fret G and C strings requires wide finger independence.
| String | Fret | Finger | Note |
|---|---|---|---|
| 4 (G) | 4 | 2 | B (1) |
| 3 (C) | 4 | 3 | E (4) |
| 2 (E) | 2 | 1 | F♯ (5) |
| 1 (A) | open | — | A (♭7) |
B 7th suspended 4th is played at the 2nd fret as 2 4 2 2: index finger on the G string at fret 2, pinky finger on the C string at fret 4, middle finger on the E string at fret 2 and ring finger on the A string at fret 2.
| String | Fret | Finger | Note |
|---|---|---|---|
| 4 (G) | 2 | 1 | A (♭7) |
| 3 (C) | 4 | 4 | E (4) |
| 2 (E) | 2 | 2 | F♯ (5) |
| 1 (A) | 2 | 3 | B (1) |
B 7th suspended 4th is played at the 4th fret as 4 6 5 7: index finger on the G string at fret 4, ring finger on the C string at fret 6, middle finger on the E string at fret 5 and pinky finger on the A string at fret 7.
| String | Fret | Finger | Note |
|---|---|---|---|
| 4 (G) | 4 | 1 | B (1) |
| 3 (C) | 6 | 3 | F♯ (5) |
| 2 (E) | 5 | 2 | A (♭7) |
| 1 (A) | 7 | 4 | E (4) |
B 7th suspended 4th is played at the 7th fret as 9 9 7 9: middle finger on the G string at fret 9, ring finger on the C string at fret 9, index finger on the E string at fret 7 and pinky finger on the A string at fret 9.
| String | Fret | Finger | Note |
|---|---|---|---|
| 4 (G) | 9 | 2 | E (4) |
| 3 (C) | 9 | 3 | A (♭7) |
| 2 (E) | 7 | 1 | B (1) |
| 1 (A) | 9 | 4 | F♯ (5) |
B 7th suspended 4th is played at the 11th fret as 11 11 12 12: index finger on the G string at fret 11, middle finger on the C string at fret 11, ring finger on the E string at fret 12 and pinky finger on the A string at fret 12.
| String | Fret | Finger | Note |
|---|---|---|---|
| 4 (G) | 11 | 1 | F♯ (5) |
| 3 (C) | 11 | 2 | B (1) |
| 2 (E) | 12 | 3 | E (4) |
| 1 (A) | 12 | 4 | A (♭7) |
B 7th suspended 4th is written as B7sus4 or B. The alternate name is Dominant 7th Suspended 4th.
B7sus4 replaces the major 3rd (D♯) with a perfect 4th (E). B7 contains the major 3rd, giving it a stronger pull to the tonic. The suspended version sounds more open and less resolved.
Yes, B7sus4 appears in B natural minor as the VII chord. It also fits E natural minor and F♯ natural minor. Its lack of a major 3rd makes it flexible across modes.