Explore chords · Ukulele
B suspended 2nd chord on ukulele (Bsus2)
Also called or written Bsus2 or B
B suspended 2nd contains B, C♯, and F♯. The 9th fret shape mutes the G string and requires a wide stretch across three frets.
How it is built
Formula 1, 2, 5
How do you play a B suspended 2nd chord on ukulele?
B suspended 2nd is played at the 9th fret as × 11 9 9: ring finger on the C string at fret 11, index finger on the E string at fret 9 and middle finger on the A string at fret 9. The G string stays muted.
Full note and interval breakdown
| String | Fret | Finger | Note |
|---|---|---|---|
| 4 (G) | muted | — | — |
| 3 (C) | 11 | 3 | B (1) |
| 2 (E) | 9 | 1 | C♯ (2) |
| 1 (A) | 9 | 2 | F♯ (5) |
IntermediateThe ring finger must stretch to fret 11 on the C string while the index and middle hold fret 9 cleanly.
Bsus2/C♯ inversion
B suspended 2nd is played at the 1st fret as × 1 2 2: index finger on the C string at fret 1, middle finger on the E string at fret 2 and ring finger on the A string at fret 2. The G string stays muted.
Full note and interval breakdown
| String | Fret | Finger | Note |
|---|---|---|---|
| 4 (G) | muted | — | — |
| 3 (C) | 1 | 1 | C♯ (2) |
| 2 (E) | 2 | 2 | F♯ (5) |
| 1 (A) | 2 | 3 | B (1) |
Bsus2/F♯ inversion
B suspended 2nd is played at the 6th fret as 6 6 7 ×: index finger on the G string at fret 6, middle finger on the C string at fret 6 and ring finger on the E string at fret 7. The A string stays muted.
Full note and interval breakdown
| String | Fret | Finger | Note |
|---|---|---|---|
| 4 (G) | 6 | 1 | C♯ (2) |
| 3 (C) | 6 | 2 | F♯ (5) |
| 2 (E) | 7 | 3 | B (1) |
| 1 (A) | muted | — | — |
9th fret · 11-11-9-9
B suspended 2nd is played at the 9th fret as 11 11 9 9: ring finger on the G string at fret 11, pinky finger on the C string at fret 11, index finger on the E string at fret 9 and middle finger on the A string at fret 9.
Full note and interval breakdown
| String | Fret | Finger | Note |
|---|---|---|---|
| 4 (G) | 11 | 3 | F♯ (5) |
| 3 (C) | 11 | 4 | B (1) |
| 2 (E) | 9 | 1 | C♯ (2) |
| 1 (A) | 9 | 2 | F♯ (5) |
Why it sounds like that
B suspended 2nd is built from the formula 1, 2, 5. The major 2nd between B and C♯ replaces the major 3rd of B major, creating an open, unresolved sound. The perfect 5th anchors the chord.
What goes wrong with B suspended 2nd?
- Letting the G string ring out; mute it with the fretting-hand thumb.
- Pressing the E string too hard and bending it sharp.
- Collapsing the ring finger onto the C string fret 11 and deadening the E string.
When to use it
B suspended 2nd works as a passing chord in B major progressions like B–E–F♯–B (I–IV–V–I). It suits rock and pop strumming where the suspended 2nd adds tension before resolution. Use it before B major to delay the tonic.
Changing to and from B suspended 2nd
- Move to B major by lifting the index finger from the E string and placing it on the C string fret 11, keeping the middle finger on the A string fret 9.
- Slide the whole shape down one fret to the 8th fret to play B♭ suspended 2nd.
Which voicing to use
The 9th fret shape puts B in the bass and is the most direct voicing. The Bsus2/F♯ inversion at frets 11-11-9-9 gives a lower, darker sound with F♯ in the bass. Choose the Bsus2/C♯ inversion when you want the 2nd in the bass for a suspended feel.
Other B chords
Common questions
How does B suspended 2nd differ from B add 9?
B suspended 2nd replaces the 3rd with the 2nd, so it has no major or minor quality. B add 9 keeps the major 3rd and adds the 2nd on top, giving a fuller major sound.
Can B suspended 2nd resolve to B minor?
Yes, B suspended 2nd can resolve to B minor because the 2nd (C♯) moves down to the minor 3rd (D). The lack of a 3rd in the sus2 makes the resolution smooth.
Why does the G string need to be muted?
The open G string is not part of B suspended 2nd, so it would add an outside note. Muting it keeps the chord voicing clean and focused on B, C♯, and F♯.