Explore chords · Ukulele
B 7th suspended 4th chord on ukulele (B7sus4)
Also called or written B7sus4, B or B Dominant 7th Suspended 4th
B 7th suspended 4th contains B, E, F♯, and A. The default voicing stretches the fretting hand across four frets, making it a demanding shape for ukulele.
How it is built
Formula 1, 4, 5, ♭7
- Root positionB–E–F♯–AB7sus411-11-12-12
- First inversionE–F♯–A–BB7sus4/E2-4-2-2
- Second inversionF♯–A–B–EB7sus4/F♯11-11-12-12
- Third inversionA–B–E–F♯B7sus4/A9-9-7-9
How do you play a B 7th suspended 4th chord on ukulele?
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.
Full note and interval breakdown
| 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) |
AdvancedThe pinky must reach fret 9 on the 1st string while the index holds fret 7 on the 2nd, requiring a wide stretch.
11th fret
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.
Full note and interval breakdown
| 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) |
B7sus4/E inversion
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.
Full note and interval breakdown
| 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) |
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 A.
What goes wrong with B 7th suspended 4th?
- The 2nd string buzzes because the index finger is not close enough to the fret.
- The 1st string is muted by the pinky collapsing onto it.
- The 4th string sounds dull because the middle finger is not pressing firmly.
When to use it
B 7th suspended 4th works as the V chord in E major progressions like E–A–B–E, the I–IV–V–I. It suits rock, blues, and folk feels. Compare it to B minor to hear the difference in color.
Changing to and from B 7th suspended 4th
- Sliding the shape down two frets to the 7th fret gives A 7th suspended 4th.
- Sliding the shape down one fret to the 8th fret gives B♭ 7th suspended 4th.
Which voicing to use
The E inversion places the 4th in the bass, giving a grounded, open sound. The A inversion, with the 7th in the bass, is darker and less stable. Choose the E inversion for a fuller voicing.
Other B chords
Common questions
How is B 7th suspended 4th written?
B 7th suspended 4th is written B7sus4 or B. The symbol B7sus4 is the most common.
What is the difference between B7sus4 and B7?
B7sus4 replaces the major 3rd D♯ with the perfect 4th E. This removes the leading tone and creates a suspended, unresolved sound.
Can B7sus4 be used in place of B7?
Yes, B7sus4 often substitutes for B7 in dominant contexts. The suspension delays the resolution to the tonic chord.