Also written Fsus4, Fsus or F Suspended
contains F, B♭, C. F suspended 4th is a beginner shape with one open string and a compact two-fret reach.
The same three notes, with a different one in the bass.
F suspended 4th is built 1, 4, 5 from F: F, B♭, C. The perfect 4th from F to B♭ replaces the major 3rd, so the chord has no leading tone and no tritone. Compare F major, which uses A instead of B♭.
F suspended 4th works as a passing chord in F major, often between F major and B♭ major in the I–IV–V–I progression (F–B♭–C–F). It suits folk and pop strumming where the open C string adds brightness. Try it before F major or B♭ major.
The default voicing at 3-0-1-1 puts C in the bass, giving a suspended feel. The 3-5-6-3 shape moves F to the bass for a root-position sound. Use the 10-10-8-8 voicing when you need B♭ in the bass for a different inversion.
F suspended 4th 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 G string at fret 3 without touching the open C string.
| String | Fret | Finger | Note |
|---|---|---|---|
| 4 (G) | 3 | 3 | B♭ (4) |
| 3 (C) | open | — | C (5) |
| 2 (E) | 1 | 1 | F (1) |
| 1 (A) | 1 | 2 | B♭ (4) |
F suspended 4th 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♭ (4) |
| 3 (C) | 5 | 3 | F (1) |
| 2 (E) | 6 | 4 | B♭ (4) |
| 1 (A) | 3 | 2 | C (5) |
F suspended 4th 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 (1) |
| 3 (C) | 10 | 3 | B♭ (4) |
| 2 (E) | 8 | 1 (barre) | C (5) |
| 1 (A) | 8 | 1 (barre) | F (1) |
F suspended 4th 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 (5) |
| 3 (C) | 5 | 2 | F (1) |
| 2 (E) | 6 | 3 | B♭ (4) |
| 1 (A) | muted | — | — |
F suspended 4th 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♭ (4) |
| 3 (C) | open | — | C (5) |
| 2 (E) | 1 | 1 | F (1) |
| 1 (A) | 3 | 3 | C (5) |
F suspended 4th is written Fsus or Fsus4.
F suspended 4th raises the 3rd to B♭, while F suspended 2nd lowers it to G. Both omit the major 3rd, but the 4th creates a stronger pull toward the 3rd.
F suspended 4th can replace F major briefly to delay resolution. It works best when the next chord is F major or B♭ major.