B Sus2 Triads on Guitar: Every Inversion on Every String Set

A B sus2 triad is B, C♯ and F♯ (1 2 5). It has three arrangements, root position, first inversion and second inversion, and each can be played on four groups of three strings: all twelve shapes are below.

Keys

Triads — Bsus2

Root position

11C shape
2A shape
4G shape
6E shape

The notes of Bsus2

B sus2 is a major second (two frets) and then a perfect fourth, with no third at all. Root position puts B at the bottom (B, C♯ and F♯); first inversion puts C♯ at the bottom (C♯, F♯ and B); second inversion puts F♯ at the bottom (F♯, B and C♯).

Bsus2 replaces the third with the second, C♯. With no third it is neither major nor minor; it sounds open and unresolved, and it usually moves to B major or minor by letting C♯ rise to the third.

Bsus2 on every string set

On the low E, A and D strings: root position at frets 4–7, first inversion at fret 9 and second inversion at frets 11–14.

Bsus2 triad, root position, on the low E, A and D strings: B (root) on the low E string, fret 7; C sharp on the A string, fret 4; F sharp on the D string, fret 4.
Root position
Bsus2 triad, first inversion, on the low E, A and D strings: C sharp on the low E string, fret 9; F sharp on the A string, fret 9; B (root) on the D string, fret 9.
First inversion
Bsus2 triad, second inversion, on the low E, A and D strings: F sharp on the low E string, fret 14; B (root) on the A string, fret 14; C sharp on the D string, fret 11.
Second inversion

On the A, D and G strings: root position at frets 11–14, first inversion at fret 4 and second inversion at frets 6–9.

Bsus2 triad, root position, on the A, D and G strings: B (root) on the A string, fret 14; C sharp on the D string, fret 11; F sharp on the G string, fret 11.
Root position
Bsus2 triad, first inversion, on the A, D and G strings: C sharp on the A string, fret 4; F sharp on the D string, fret 4; B (root) on the G string, fret 4.
First inversion
Bsus2 triad, second inversion, on the A, D and G strings: F sharp on the A string, fret 9; B (root) on the D string, fret 9; C sharp on the G string, fret 6.
Second inversion

On the D, G and B strings: root position at frets 6–9, first inversion at frets 0–11 and second inversion at frets 2–4.

Bsus2 triad, root position, on the D, G and B strings: B (root) on the D string, fret 9; C sharp on the G string, fret 6; F sharp on the B string, fret 7.
Root position
Bsus2 triad, first inversion, on the D, G and B strings: C sharp on the D string, fret 11; F sharp on the G string, fret 11; B (root) on the B string, fret 0.
First inversion
Bsus2 triad, second inversion, on the D, G and B strings: F sharp on the D string, fret 4; B (root) on the G string, fret 4; C sharp on the B string, fret 2.
Second inversion

On the G, B and high e strings: root position at frets 2–4, first inversion at frets 6–7 and second inversion at frets 0–11.

Bsus2 triad, root position, on the G, B and high e strings: B (root) on the G string, fret 4; C sharp on the B string, fret 2; F sharp on the high e string, fret 2.
Root position
Bsus2 triad, first inversion, on the G, B and high e strings: C sharp on the G string, fret 6; F sharp on the B string, fret 7; B (root) on the high e string, fret 7.
First inversion
Bsus2 triad, second inversion, on the G, B and high e strings: F sharp on the G string, fret 11; B (root) on the B string, fret 0; C sharp on the high e string, fret 9.
Second inversion

Where the inversions sit in the CAGED shapes

The practice pad above shows Bsus2's triads inside each CAGED shape. Use the R, 2, 3 and V switches to see each arrangement:

  • Root position: C shape (fret 11), A shape (fret 2), G shape (fret 4) and E shape (fret 6).
  • First inversion: C shape (fret 11), G shape (fret 4) and E shape (fret 6).
  • Second inversion: C shape (fret 9), A shape (fret 2) and E shape (fret 6).

Where Bsus2 appears

Bsus2 isn't built on the scale's thirds, so it isn't a diatonic chord in the usual sense, but all three of its notes fit 12 keys: D major (on the 6th degree), E major (on the 5th degree), F♯ major (on the 4th degree), A major (on the 2nd degree) and B major (on the 1st degree), and C♯ minor (7th), E♭ minor (6th), F♯ minor (4th), G♯ minor (3rd) and B minor (1st).

Of those, D major, E major and A major are keys guitarists play in constantly, because their open strings ring with the scale, so Bsus2 turns up often in songs.

Open strings and capo options for Bsus2

One open string is part of Bsus2: the B string (root). Because the root is among them, you can let it drone under any of the shapes.

A sus chord is a pause before major or minor: Bsus2 keeps the root and fifth and moves the third, so its closest chords share the same root.

Bsus2 triad FAQs

What notes are in a B sus2 triad?

B, C♯ and F♯. The formula is 1 2 5.

What is the first inversion of Bsus2?

C♯, F♯ and B, with C♯ in the bass. On the G, B and high e strings it sits at fret 6, fret 7 and fret 7.

Is Bsus2 major or minor?

Neither. It has no third: the second, C♯, takes its place, which is why it sounds open and unresolved.

Learn more

How to use guitar triads explains inversions and how to use them in rhythm parts and solos, and triads on all string sets goes through each set in turn. The triad library has every chord.