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Bbsus2 Chord

Bbsus2 uses C instead of a third. Without that major-or-minor note, the chord leaves its quality open until the next chord supplies more context.

  • Notes: B flat-C-F
  • Symbol: Bbsus2
  • Isus2 in Bb major
  • Second instead of third
Switch chordBbsus2

How to play a Bbsus2 chord

Notes: Bb - C - F · symbol Bbsus2

  • Root position

    Bb - C - F
    C4C5
    Right hand 1-3-5 · Left 5-3-1

  • 1st inversion

    C - F - Bb
    C4C5
    Right hand 1-2-5 · Left 5-3-1

  • 2nd inversion

    F - Bb - C
    C4C5
    Right hand 1-3-5 · Left 5-2-1

Where does Bbsus2 belong?

The second replaces the third, so Bbsus2 can briefly interrupt a major chord without introducing a new root.
Play the role cards to hear how its surrounding chords change the job it does; Diatonic Chords explains the basic numbered roles.

  • In Bb majorOpen color
    Isus2

    Without a third the chord is neither major nor minor: open and unresolved.

    BbIBbsus2Isus2BbI
  • In F majorAiry step away
    IVsus2

    An open-sounding IV in F major.

    FIBbsus2IVsus2CVFI

Progressions to try

  • BbBbsus2Bb

    The chord moves from Bb to Bbsus2 and back, so you can hear the missing third return.

  • FBbsus2CF

    Here Bbsus2 colors the IV chord before the loop continues to V and back home.

Which shape should you use?

On guitar, start with x13311, a barre at the 1st fret. Press the barred notes evenly and mute any strings marked x. The x-x-8-10-11-8 shape gives you another position when the neighboring chords sit elsewhere on the neck.

On ukulele, the open shape 3011 is the easiest place to start. The 3563 grip moves the chord to another register.

On piano, play B flat-C-F. Move B flat up an octave to reach the first inversion, C-F-B flat; the notes remain the same while the lowest voice changes.

What are the inversions?

B flat is the root, C the second and F the fifth. There is no third in this chord.

  • Root position: B flat-C-F, with B flat lowest.
  • First inversion: C-F-B flat, written Bbsus2/C if C is lowest in the whole arrangement.
  • Second inversion: F-B flat-C, written Bbsus2/F if F is lowest in the whole arrangement.

A slash chord names the note in the bass, not merely the lowest note under one hand. Chord Inversions shows how to read that distinction.

How does Bbsus2 differ from Bb?

Keep B flat and F; replace the second, C, with the major third, D, to make Bb. A sus2 chord does not keep the third alongside the second. Try that one-note change on piano, then use the comparer to hear it in the full chord. See Bb for the other chord's full spelling and roles.

  • Bbsus2

    Bb - C - F
    C4

    Bb sus2

  • Bb

    Bb - D - F
    C4

    Bb major

Try another chord