B sus4 (Bsus4) chord on piano

Sus4 chord (a perfect fourth instead of the third) on B: the notes of the Bsus4 chord are B – E – F♯.

Root position: B3 – E4 – F♯4

What the Bsus4 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 Bsus4 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

B3 – E4 – F♯4

1st inversion

E4 – F♯4 – B4

2nd inversion

F♯4 – B4 – E5

Which keys is it in?

The Bsus4 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 Bsus4 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

Esus2 – the same notes with a different root

Richer versions

B7sus4 – the same chord plus 1 colour note
B11 – the same chord plus 3 colour notes

Frequently asked questions

What notes are in the Bsus4 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 Bsus4 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.