B♭ sus4 (B♭sus4) chord on piano

Looking for the B♭sus4 chord on piano? It is a sus4 chord (a perfect fourth instead of the third), made of three notes: B♭ – E♭ – F. The same chord with a different spelling: A♯ sus4 (A♯sus4).

Root position: B♭3 – E♭4 – F4

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What the B♭sus4 chord sounds like

In a sus4 chord a perfect fourth replaces the third. The fourth is 'suspended' and usually resolves down to the third (sus4 → major), a classic move at cadences.

Notes of the B♭sus4 chord

Degree	Note	Interval from the root
1	B♭	root
4	E♭	perfect fourth (5 semitones)
5	F	perfect fifth (7 semitones)

Root position and inversions

An inversion uses the same notes, with a different note at the bottom. When you change chords, choosing the nearest inversion keeps your hand almost still.

Root position

B♭3 – E♭4 – F4

1st inversion

E♭4 – F4 – B♭4

2nd inversion

F4 – B♭4 – E♭5

Which keys is it in?

The B♭sus4 chord is built from the notes of these keys (for minor keys, both the natural and the harmonic minor are considered):

B♭ major: Isus4 (tonic)
B♭ minor: Isus4 (tonic)
E♭ major: Vsus4 (dominant)
E♭ minor: Vsus4 (dominant)
F minor: IVsus4 (subdominant)
G♭ major: IIIsus4
D♭ major: VIsus4
A♭ major: IIsus4
C minor: VIIsus4
G minor: IIIsus4

Similar chords and substitutes

If B♭sus4 is too hard, or you want a different colour in the same spot, these chords are worth a try.

Substitutes (by function)

B♭ – resolves the suspension to major
B♭m – or to minor

Same notes

E♭sus2 – the same notes with a different root

Richer versions

B♭7sus4 – the same chord plus 1 colour note
B♭11 – the same chord plus 3 colour notes

Frequently asked questions

What notes are in the B♭sus4 chord?

B♭, E♭, F. The root is B♭; the intervals of the other notes from the root: perfect fourth, perfect fifth.

How do I play the B♭sus4 chord on piano?

In root position, the right hand usually plays with fingers 1, 3 and 5 (thumb, middle finger, little finger); four-note chords with fingers 1, 2, 3 and 5. The left hand mirrors this: 5, 3, 1. In an inversion the top or bottom note moves to the other side, so your hand moves less when you change chords.

Why do some songbooks write H instead of B?

In German and Central European notation, H is the note B, and B is the note B♭. So a “B” chord in a German or Hungarian songbook is B♭ in English notation, and an “H” chord is B. Always check which notation your chord chart uses.