Also written B♭sus2 or B♭
B♭ suspended 2nd contains B♭, C, and F. The open C string and first-fret E and A strings make this a light, reachable grip.
The same three notes, with a different one in the bass.
B♭ suspended 2nd is built from the formula 1, 2, 5. The major 2nd between B♭ and C replaces the major 3rd, giving the chord its open, unresolved quality. Compare B♭ major, which uses D instead of C.
B♭ suspended 2nd works as a passing chord in B♭ major progressions like I–IV–V–I (B♭–E♭–F–B♭). Its open voicing suits folk, pop, and light rock strumming.
The default B♭sus2/C inversion puts C in the bass, giving a soft, ambiguous start. For a firmer root position, use the 8th fret shape with B♭ in the bass.
B♭ suspended 2nd is played in open position as 3 0 1 1: ring finger on the G string at fret 3, index finger on the E string at fret 1 and middle finger on the A string at fret 1. The C string rings open.
Tip — The hardest part is fretting the E and A strings at the 1st fret cleanly while leaving the C string open.
| String | Fret | Finger | Note |
|---|---|---|---|
| 4 (G) | 3 | 3 | B♭ (1) |
| 3 (C) | open | — | C (2) |
| 2 (E) | 1 | 1 | F (5) |
| 1 (A) | 1 | 2 | B♭ (1) |
B♭ suspended 2nd is played at the 3rd fret as 3 5 6 3: index finger on the G string at fret 3, ring finger on the C string at fret 5, pinky finger on the E string at fret 6 and middle finger on the A string at fret 3.
| String | Fret | Finger | Note |
|---|---|---|---|
| 4 (G) | 3 | 1 | B♭ (1) |
| 3 (C) | 5 | 3 | F (5) |
| 2 (E) | 6 | 4 | B♭ (1) |
| 1 (A) | 3 | 2 | C (2) |
B♭ suspended 2nd is played at the 8th fret as 10 10 8 8: barre your index finger across fret 8, middle finger on the G string at fret 10 and ring finger on the C string at fret 10.
| String | Fret | Finger | Note |
|---|---|---|---|
| 4 (G) | 10 | 2 | F (5) |
| 3 (C) | 10 | 3 | B♭ (1) |
| 2 (E) | 8 | 1 (barre) | C (2) |
| 1 (A) | 8 | 1 (barre) | F (5) |
B♭ suspended 2nd is played at the 5th fret as 5 5 6 ×: index finger on the G string at fret 5, middle finger on the C string at fret 5 and ring finger on the E string at fret 6. The A string stays muted.
| String | Fret | Finger | Note |
|---|---|---|---|
| 4 (G) | 5 | 1 | C (2) |
| 3 (C) | 5 | 2 | F (5) |
| 2 (E) | 6 | 3 | B♭ (1) |
| 1 (A) | muted | — | — |
B♭ suspended 2nd is played in open position as 3 0 1 3: middle finger on the G string at fret 3, index finger on the E string at fret 1 and ring finger on the A string at fret 3. The C string rings open.
| String | Fret | Finger | Note |
|---|---|---|---|
| 4 (G) | 3 | 2 | B♭ (1) |
| 3 (C) | open | — | C (2) |
| 2 (E) | 1 | 1 | F (5) |
| 1 (A) | 3 | 3 | C (2) |
B♭ suspended 2nd is written B♭sus2 or B♭. The ASCII root is Bb, so you may see Bbsus2. It is also spelled A♯ in enharmonic notation for the same sounding root.
B♭sus2 replaces the 3rd with the 2nd (C), while B♭sus4 replaces it with the 4th (E♭). The sus2 sounds more open and airy.
Yes, B♭sus2 can substitute for B♭ major when you want to avoid the major 3rd. It works especially well before resolving to B♭ major.