D suspended second chord (Dsus2)
The D suspended second chord (Dsus2) is a suspended chord: D, E and A (root, major second and perfect fifth). It has no third, so it is neither major nor minor.
It is the Isus2 in D major and the IVsus2 in A 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 second on guitar
There are 2 guitar voicings.
Frets from the 6th string to the 1st: x = not played, 0 = open string.
- Voicing 1: x-x-0-2-3-0, open position, with D in the bass (fingers x-x-0-1-2-0).
- Voicing 2: x-5-7-7-5-5, movable A-shape barre chord at fret 5, with D in the bass.
Notes of the D suspended second chord on the fretboard
D suspended second has 3 notes: D, E and A. This is where they fall on each string, from the nut to the 12th fret (fret number in parentheses):
- String 6 (E): E (0) · A (5) · D (10) · E (12)
- String 5 (A): A (0) · D (5) · E (7) · A (12)
- String 4 (D): D (0) · E (2) · A (7) · D (12)
- String 3 (G): A (2) · D (7) · E (9)
- String 2 (B): D (3) · E (5) · A (10)
- String 1 (E): E (0) · A (5) · D (10) · E (12)
Formula and intervals of D suspended second
Its formula is 1-2-5; in semitones from the root, 0-2-7.
- D: Root, the note that gives the chord its name
- E: Major second (M2), 2 semitones above D
- A: Perfect fifth (P5), 7 semitones above D
D suspended second on ukulele
- Ukulele (G C E A): 2-2-0-0; it sounds A, D, E and A.
D suspended second on piano
- Keys: D4, E4 and A4.
Inversions of D suspended second
Each inversion puts a different note in the bass.
- Root position: D, E and A, with D in the bass.
- First inversion (Dsus2/E): E, A and D, with E in the bass.
- Second inversion (Dsus2/A): A, D and E, with A in the bass.
Keys that use D suspended second
D suspended second appears in 10 major and minor keys.
| Key | Degree | Function |
|---|---|---|
| D major (2 sharps) | Isus2 | Tonic |
| C major (no sharps or flats) | IIsus2 | Supertonic |
| A major (3 sharps) | IVsus2 | Subdominant |
| G major (1 sharp) | Vsus2 | Dominant |
| F major (1 flat) | VIsus2 | Submediant |
| D minor (1 flat) | Isus2 | Tonic |
| B minor (2 sharps) | IIIsus2 | Mediant |
| A minor (no sharps or flats) | IVsus2 | Subdominant |
| F♯ minor (3 sharps) | VIsus2 | Submediant |
| E minor (1 sharp) | VIIsus2 | Subtonic |
Progressions with D suspended second
- Sus2 resolution in D major (Isus2–I): Dsus2 – D
Frequently asked questions
What notes are in the D suspended second chord?
D, E and A: root, major second and perfect fifth. Its formula is 1-2-5.
Which keys use D suspended second?
Mainly as the Isus2 in D major and the IVsus2 in A major. In total it appears in 10 major and minor keys.
What does “sus” mean in D suspended second?
That the chord is suspended: the third is replaced by another note, leaving D, E and A (root, major second and perfect fifth). Without a third, it can move to either the major or the minor triad on the same root.