Piano chord
Bsus4B suspended fourth
- B1
- E4
- F♯5
- Notes
- 3
- Positions
- 3
- Span
- 7semitones
- Fingers
- 1-3-5
How to play Bsus4 on piano
- Find B: it is the root and the lowest note of the chord in root position.
- Right hand: 1 on B, 3 on E, 5 on F♯.
- Or with the left hand: 5 on B, 2 on E, 1 on F♯.
- Press the keys together, with curved fingers and a loose wrist, and let them ring.
Root position · B – E – F♯
1st inversion · E – F♯ – B
2nd inversion · F♯ – B – E
Numbers on the keys are fingers: 1 thumb, 2 index, 3 middle, 4 ring, 5 little finger.
Bsus4 inversions
Bsus4 can be played in 3 positions. In root position B is at the bottom; each inversion moves the lowest note up an octave, so another chord tone becomes the bass.
- Root positionbass: BRight hand 1-3-5 · Left hand 5-2-1
- 1st inversionbass: ERight hand 1-2-5 · Left hand 5-3-1
- 2nd inversionbass: F♯Right hand 1-2-5 · Left hand 5-2-1
Bsus4 with two hands
A full sound: the left hand plays B an octave lower, the right hand plays B–E–F♯.
Bsus4 on other instruments
About the Bsus4 chord
B suspended fourth has 3 notes: B (1), E (4), F♯ (5). A suspended fourth: the third is replaced by the fourth. It sounds unfinished and usually resolves to the major chord on the same root.
On the keyboard, start from B and add the other notes above it: B – E – F♯. From the lowest to the highest key that is 7 semitones. That is less than an octave, so Bsus4 sits comfortably under one hand.
Each inversion of Bsus4 puts a different note in the bass. In the 1st inversion the bass is E (E–F♯–B). In the 2nd inversion the bass is F♯ (F♯–B–E).
Bsus4 is B7sus4 without A.
Questions
What notes are in the Bsus4 chord?
Bsus4 (B suspended fourth) has 3 notes: B (1), E (4), F♯ (5).
How many inversions does Bsus4 have?
Bsus4 can be played in 3 positions: Root position (B–E–F♯); 1st inversion (E–F♯–B); 2nd inversion (F♯–B–E).
What is the difference between Bsus4 and B7sus4?
Bsus4 is B7sus4 without A.
Can I play Bsus4 with one hand?
Yes. In root position Bsus4 spans 7 semitones, less than an octave, so one hand holds it easily.