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Bbsus4 Chord

Bbsus4 holds E flat, the fourth, where a major chord would use its third. Letting that fourth move to the third is the small release to listen for.

  • Notes: B flat-E flat-F
  • Symbol: Bbsus4
  • Vsus4 in Eb major
  • Fourth instead of third
Switch chordBbsus4

How to play a Bbsus4 chord

Notes: Bb - Eb - F · symbol Bbsus4

  • Root position

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

  • 1st inversion

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

  • 2nd inversion

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

Where does Bbsus4 belong?

The fourth takes the third's place, making Bbsus4 useful as a brief delay before the major chord.
Play the role cards to hear how its surrounding chords change the job it does; Diatonic Chords explains the basic numbered roles.

  • In Eb majorDelayed dominant
    Vsus4

    The fourth holds back the third for a moment before the V resolves to Eb.

    EbIBbsus4Vsus4BbVEbI
  • In Bb majorSuspension and release
    Isus4

    Lift the third to the fourth and let it fall back: a classic rhythm guitar move.

    BbIBbsus4Isus4BbI

Progressions to try

  • EbBbsus4BbEb

    Hold Bbsus4 before the ordinary major chord on the same root; the suspended note then resolves into the third.

  • BbBbsus4Bb

    The home chord briefly becomes Bbsus4 and releases without changing the bass.

Which shape should you use?

On guitar, start with x11341, a barre at the 1st fret. Press the barred notes evenly and mute any strings marked x. The 668866 shape gives you another position when the neighboring chords sit elsewhere on the neck.

On ukulele, start with 3311, played at the 1st fret. The 8566 grip moves the chord to another register.

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

What are the inversions?

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

  • Root position: B flat-E flat-F, with B flat lowest.
  • First inversion: E flat-F-B flat, written Bbsus4/Eb if E flat is lowest in the whole arrangement.
  • Second inversion: F-B flat-E flat, written Bbsus4/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 Bbsus4 differ from Bb?

Keep B flat and F while E flat moves down to D. That resolves Bbsus4 into Bb; the root and fifth never moved. 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.

  • Bbsus4

    Bb - Eb - F
    C4

    Bb sus4

  • Bb

    Bb - D - F
    C4

    Bb major

Try another chord