F suspended fourth chord (Fsus4)
The F suspended fourth chord (Fsus4) is a suspended chord: F, B♭ and C (root, perfect fourth and perfect fifth). It has no third, so it is neither major nor minor.
It is the Isus4 in F major and the Vsus4 in B♭ major, and it usually resolves to the major or minor chord on the same root.
Below: voicings, notes on the fretboard, ukulele, piano, inversions and progressions.
How to play F suspended fourth on guitar
There are 2 guitar voicings.
Frets from the 6th string to the 1st: x = not played, 0 = open string.
- Voicing 1: 1-3-3-3-1-1, barre at fret 1, with F in the bass (fingers 1-2-3-4-1-1).
- Voicing 2: x-8-10-10-11-8, movable A-shape barre chord at fret 8, with F in the bass.
Notes of the F suspended fourth chord on the fretboard
F suspended fourth has 3 notes: F, B♭ and C. This is where they fall on each string, from the nut to the 12th fret (fret number in parentheses):
- String 6 (E): F (1) · B♭ (6) · C (8)
- String 5 (A): B♭ (1) · C (3) · F (8)
- String 4 (D): F (3) · B♭ (8) · C (10)
- String 3 (G): B♭ (3) · C (5) · F (10)
- String 2 (B): C (1) · F (6) · B♭ (11)
- String 1 (E): F (1) · B♭ (6) · C (8)
Formula and intervals of F suspended fourth
Its formula is 1-4-5; in semitones from the root, 0-5-7.
- F: Root, the note that gives the chord its name
- B♭: Perfect fourth (P4), 5 semitones above F
- C: Perfect fifth (P5), 7 semitones above F
F suspended fourth on ukulele
- Ukulele (G C E A): 3-0-1-1, barre at fret 1; it sounds B♭, C, F and B♭.
F suspended fourth on piano
- Keys: F4, B♭4 and C5.
Inversions of F suspended fourth
Each inversion puts a different note in the bass.
- Root position: F, B♭ and C, with F in the bass.
- First inversion (Fsus4/B♭): B♭, C and F, with B♭ in the bass.
- Second inversion (Fsus4/C): C, F and B♭, with C in the bass.
Keys that use F suspended fourth
F suspended fourth appears in 10 major and minor keys.
| Key | Degree | Function |
|---|---|---|
| F major (1 flat) | Isus4 | Tonic |
| E♭ major (3 flats) | IIsus4 | Supertonic |
| D♭ major (5 flats) | IIIsus4 | Mediant |
| B♭ major (2 flats) | Vsus4 | Dominant |
| A♭ major (4 flats) | VIsus4 | Submediant |
| F minor (4 flats) | Isus4 | Tonic |
| D minor (1 flat) | IIIsus4 | Mediant |
| C minor (3 flats) | IVsus4 | Subdominant |
| B♭ minor (5 flats) | Vsus4 | Dominant |
| G minor (2 flats) | VIIsus4 | Subtonic |
Progressions with F suspended fourth
- Sus4 resolution in F major (Isus4–I): Fsus4 – F
Frequently asked questions
What notes are in the F suspended fourth chord?
F, B♭ and C: root, perfect fourth and perfect fifth. Its formula is 1-4-5.
Which keys use F suspended fourth?
Mainly as the Isus4 in F major and the Vsus4 in B♭ major. In total it appears in 10 major and minor keys.
What does “sus” mean in F suspended fourth?
That the chord is suspended: the third is replaced by another note, leaving F, B♭ and C (root, perfect fourth and perfect fifth). Without a third, it can move to either the major or the minor triad on the same root.