Bsus2 chord on guitar
Bsus2 is B, C♯ and F♯. The usual shape is x-2-4-4-2-2, a barre at the 2nd fret. Hit Play and watch each string light as it sounds.
x-2-4-4-2-2 · barre · medium
- Notes
- B · C♯ · F♯
- Formula
- 1 · 2 · 5
- First shape
- x-2-4-4-2-2
How to play Bsus2 on guitar
Shape 1, x-2-4-4-2-2, reading from the low E string on the left, starts at the 2nd fret:
- Barre the 2nd fret with your index finger, covering the 5 strings from the A string to the high E string.
- Put your middle finger on the D string at the 4th fret, which is F♯.
- Put your ring finger on the G string at the 4th fret, which is B.
- Skip the low E string and begin the strum from the A string.
- Check the barre one string at a time. A dead string under the index finger usually means the finger has drifted away from the fret wire.
Other ways to play Bsus2
- x-2-4-4-2-x: movable shape at the 2nd fret, medium. Only the thinner strings sound, which cuts through a band without getting muddy.
- x-x-9-6-7-7: movable shape at the 6th fret, medium. Only the thinner strings sound, which cuts through a band without getting muddy.
- x-x-9-11-12-9: movable shape at the 9th fret, medium. Fewer strings, so it sounds lighter and is quicker to change to.
Playing Bsus2 with a capo
No barre needed if a capo is allowed: capo on the 2nd fret and play the open Asus2 shape (x-0-2-2-0-0). The chord sounds as Bsus2 because the capo raises every string by 2 half steps.
Changing from Bsus2 to the chords around it
These are the changes you'll meet most often with Bsus2, using the first shape of each chord.
- B (resolves up to the third): Bsus2 (x-2-4-4-2-2) to B (x-2-4-4-4-2): your middle and ring fingers stay put, the index finger lays across the A to high E strings at the 2nd fret, the pinky finger comes down on the B string, 4th fret. The two chords share B and F♯, which is why the change sounds smooth. B on guitar
- E (IV in B major): Bsus2 (x-2-4-4-2-2) to E (0-2-2-1-0-0): move the index finger to the G string, 1st fret, the middle finger goes to the A string, 2nd fret, your ring finger lands on the D string, 2nd fret. Everything moves: lift the whole hand and place the new shape in one go. Listen for B, which stays put while the rest moves. E on guitar
- F♯ (V in B major): Bsus2 (x-2-4-4-2-2) to F♯ (2-4-4-3-2-2): the index finger lays across the low E to high E strings at the 2nd fret, your middle finger lands on the G string, 3rd fret, move the ring finger to the A string, 4th fret, the pinky finger comes down on the D string, 4th fret. Nothing carries over, so drill it slowly, lifting and landing all fingers at once. Listen for C♯ and F♯, which stay put while the rest moves. F♯ on guitar
Bsus2 replaces the third with the second, so it is neither major nor minor. The open second in Bsus2 usually rises to the third, so play Bsus2 then B and listen for it to settle. Play it once strummed and once picked to hear the difference.
Getting Bsus2 under your fingers
Pick shape 1 one string at a time, low to high: B, F♯, B, C♯, F♯. Every note should ring clearly; if one thuds, adjust that finger before you strum. Then switch to x-2-4-4-2-x and back four times without looking at your hand.
Bsus2 in context
Bsus2 on piano and ukulele
The same notes on another instrument: Bsus2 on piano and Bsus2 on ukulele. This page puts all three side by side.
Close to Bsus2
Other suspended second chords
Bsus2 on guitar: questions
What notes are in Bsus2 on guitar?
B, C♯ and F♯. In the x-2-4-4-2-2 shape the strings play B (A string), F♯ (D string), B (G string), C♯ (B string) and F♯ (high E string), so B and F♯ are doubled.
What's the easiest way to play Bsus2 on guitar?
Bsus2 has no open-string shape in standard tuning, so every version needs a barre or a stretch. Start with x-2-4-4-2-x. It uses 4 fingers and no barre, and a capo can make it easier in some songs.
Is Bsus2 a barre chord on guitar?
Usually, yes. x-2-4-4-2-2 has your index finger across the 2nd fret. x-2-4-4-2-x avoids the barre.
Which string does Bsus2 start on?
In the x-2-4-4-2-2 shape the lowest string you play is the A string at the 2nd fret, which is B, the root. Skip the low E string.
Shapes and sound are generated from the notes B, C♯ and F♯ and tested automatically. Updated September 2026.