B♭sus4 chord on guitar
B♭sus4 (B flat suspended 4th) is a sus4 chord built on B♭. It has 3 notes, B♭, E♭ and F, and its formula is 1 4 5.
Notes and intervals of B♭sus4
From the root upwards, B♭sus4 contains root (B♭), perfect 4th (E♭) and perfect 5th (F). Those intervals give the chord its colour: the formula 1 4 5 works the same way in every key, so once you know it for B♭ you can build the chord on any note.
| Degree | Interval | Note |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | root | B♭ |
| 4 | perfect 4th | E♭ |
| 5 | perfect 5th | F |
How to play B♭sus4 on guitar
The first shape above reads x 1 3 3 4 1 from the low E string to the high E string (x means you do not play that string, 0 is an open string). The lowest note you play is B♭. The other diagrams show the same chord higher up the neck: pick the one closest to the chords before and after it in your song.
This is a barre or movable shape: keep your index finger straight and close to the fret, and press with the side of the finger rather than the flat pad.
Which keys use B♭sus4?
B♭sus4 is not built from the notes of a single major key, so it usually appears as a colour chord: a borrowed chord, a passing chord or a suspension that resolves to the next chord.
Scales to play over B♭sus4
To improvise over B♭sus4, start with B flat major scale. All of these scales contain every note of the chord: B flat major scale, B flat natural minor scale, B flat harmonic minor scale, B flat melodic minor scale, B flat minor pentatonic scale, B flat blues scale, B flat Dorian mode, B flat Phrygian mode and B flat Mixolydian mode. Aim for the chord notes on strong beats and use the other notes to move between them.
About sus4 chords
The third is replaced by a perfect fourth: 1 4 5. The fourth leans on the third it replaces, so the chord sounds expectant, as if holding its breath before resolving. It is the most common sus chord, and 'sus' alone usually means sus4. For example Asus4: A D E.
The classic gesture is sus4 to major on the same root, especially on V before the cadence: Vsus4 V I. Rock riffs alternate sus4 and major in one bar, folk players decorate open chords with it, and gospel and soul use a 9sus4 voicing, often written IV/V (for example F/G), as a softer dominant.
Open Dsus4 (xx0233), Asus4 (x02230) and Esus4 (022200) are one finger away from their major chords. Movable: in the E-shape barre, raise the third on the 3rd string by one fret; in the A-shape barre, raise the third on the 2nd string by one fret. Alternate sus4 and major with that single finger to build riffs.
Do not add the third to a sus4 chord: it cancels the suspension and creates a harsh clash. A sus4 usually resolves to the major chord, though resolving to minor is possible in a minor key. And 7sus4 is not the same as 7: it keeps the ♭7 but still has no third, so it sounds softer and more open.
Frequently asked questions
What notes are in the B♭sus4 chord?
B♭sus4 (B flat suspended 4th) contains B♭, E♭ and F. In intervals: root (B♭), perfect 4th (E♭) and perfect 5th (F).
How do you play B♭sus4 on guitar?
The easiest shape is x 1 3 3 4 1, from the low E string to the high E string. This page shows 3 positions with finger numbers.
What scale goes with B♭sus4?
B flat major scale fits B♭sus4 best. Other scales that contain all its notes: B flat natural minor scale, B flat harmonic minor scale, B flat melodic minor scale, B flat minor pentatonic scale, B flat blues scale, B flat Dorian mode, B flat Phrygian mode and B flat Mixolydian mode.
What key is B♭sus4 in?
B♭sus4 does not belong to a single major key. It is used as a colour chord that borrows notes from outside the key.
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