B sus2 (Bsus2) chord on piano

Looking for the Bsus2 chord on piano? It is a sus2 chord (a major second instead of the third), made of three notes: B – C♯ – F♯.

Root position: B3 – C♯4 – F♯4

Chord finder Transposer

What the Bsus2 chord sounds like

In a sus2 chord a major second replaces the third, so it is neither major nor minor: it sounds open and floating. It often decorates a major or minor chord.

Notes of the Bsus2 chord

Degree	Note	Interval from the root
1	B	root
2	C♯	major second (2 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

B3 – C♯4 – F♯4

1st inversion

C♯4 – F♯4 – B4

2nd inversion

F♯4 – B4 – C♯5

Which keys is it in?

The Bsus2 chord is built from the notes of these keys (for minor keys, both the natural and the harmonic minor are considered):

B major: Isus2 (tonic)
B minor: Isus2 (tonic)
E major: Vsus2 (dominant)
F♯ major: IVsus2 (subdominant)
F♯ minor: IVsus2 (subdominant)
D major: VIsus2
A major: IIsus2
C♯ minor: VIIsus2
G♯ minor: IIIsus2
D♯ minor: VIsus2

Similar chords and substitutes

If Bsus2 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
Bm – or to minor

Same notes

F♯sus4 – the same notes with a different root

Richer versions

Badd9 – the same chord plus 1 colour note
B9 – the same chord plus 2 colour notes
Bm9 – the same chord plus 2 colour notes
Bmaj9 – the same chord plus 2 colour notes

Frequently asked questions

What notes are in the Bsus2 chord?

B, C♯, F♯. The root is B; the intervals of the other notes from the root: major second, perfect fifth.

How do I play the Bsus2 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.