D-flat suspended fourth chord (Dbsus4)
The D♭ suspended fourth chord (D♭sus4) is a suspended chord: D♭, G♭ and A♭ (root, perfect fourth and perfect fifth). It has no third, so it is neither major nor minor.
It is the Isus4 in D♭ major and the Vsus4 in G♭ 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 D♭ suspended fourth on guitar
There are 3 guitar voicings.
Frets from the 6th string to the 1st: x = not played, 0 = open string.
- Voicing 1: x-4-4-1-2-2, with D♭ in the bass (fingers x-3-4-1-2-2).
- Voicing 2: 9-11-11-11-9-9, movable E-shape barre chord at fret 9, with D♭ in the bass.
- Voicing 3: x-4-6-6-7-4, movable A-shape barre chord at fret 4, with D♭ in the bass.
Notes of the D♭ suspended fourth chord on the fretboard
D♭ suspended fourth has 3 notes: D♭, G♭ and A♭. This is where they fall on each string, from the nut to the 12th fret (fret number in parentheses):
- String 6 (E): G♭ (2) · A♭ (4) · D♭ (9)
- String 5 (A): D♭ (4) · G♭ (9) · A♭ (11)
- String 4 (D): G♭ (4) · A♭ (6) · D♭ (11)
- String 3 (G): A♭ (1) · D♭ (6) · G♭ (11)
- String 2 (B): D♭ (2) · G♭ (7) · A♭ (9)
- String 1 (E): G♭ (2) · A♭ (4) · D♭ (9)
Formula and intervals of D♭ suspended fourth
Its formula is 1-4-5; in semitones from the root, 0-5-7.
- D♭: Root, the note that gives the chord its name
- G♭: Perfect fourth (P4), 5 semitones above D♭
- A♭: Perfect fifth (P5), 7 semitones above D♭
D♭ suspended fourth on ukulele
- Ukulele (G C E A): 1-1-2-4, barre at fret 1; it sounds A♭, D♭, G♭ and D♭.
D♭ suspended fourth on piano
- Keys: D♭4, G♭4 and A♭4.
Inversions of D♭ suspended fourth
Each inversion puts a different note in the bass.
- Root position: D♭, G♭ and A♭, with D♭ in the bass.
- First inversion (D♭sus4/G♭): G♭, A♭ and D♭, with G♭ in the bass.
- Second inversion (D♭sus4/A♭): A♭, D♭ and G♭, with A♭ in the bass.
Keys that use D♭ suspended fourth
D♭ suspended fourth appears in 10 major and minor keys.
| Key | Degree | Function |
|---|---|---|
| D♭ major (5 flats) | Isus4 | Tonic |
| B major (5 sharps) | IIsus4 (written C♯sus4) | Supertonic |
| A major (3 sharps) | IIIsus4 (written C♯sus4) | Mediant |
| G♭ major (6 flats) | Vsus4 | Dominant |
| E major (4 sharps) | VIsus4 (written C♯sus4) | Submediant |
| C♯ minor (4 sharps) | Isus4 (written C♯sus4) | Tonic |
| B♭ minor (5 flats) | IIIsus4 | Mediant |
| G♯ minor (5 sharps) | IVsus4 (written C♯sus4) | Subdominant |
| F♯ minor (3 sharps) | Vsus4 (written C♯sus4) | Dominant |
| E♭ minor (6 flats) | VIIsus4 | Subtonic |
Progressions with D♭ suspended fourth
- Sus4 resolution in D♭ major (Isus4–I): D♭sus4 – D♭
D♭ suspended fourth or C♯ suspended fourth?
D♭ suspended fourth (D♭sus4) and C♯ suspended fourth (C♯sus4) are the same chord with two names: they sound the same and use the same frets.
The spelling depends on the key: it is written D♭ suspended fourth in flat keys and C♯ suspended fourth in sharp keys.
Frequently asked questions
What notes are in the D♭ suspended fourth chord?
D♭, G♭ and A♭: root, perfect fourth and perfect fifth. Its formula is 1-4-5.
Which keys use D♭ suspended fourth?
Mainly as the Isus4 in D♭ major and the Vsus4 in G♭ major. In total it appears in 10 major and minor keys.
Is C♯ suspended fourth the same chord as D♭ suspended fourth?
Yes: C♯ suspended fourth and D♭ suspended fourth sound the same and are played the same way. It is written D♭ suspended fourth in flat keys and C♯ suspended fourth in sharp keys.
What does “sus” mean in D♭ suspended fourth?
That the chord is suspended: the third is replaced by another note, leaving D♭, G♭ and A♭ (root, perfect fourth and perfect fifth). Without a third, it can move to either the major or the minor triad on the same root.