D suspended fourth chord (Dsus4)
The D suspended fourth chord (Dsus4) 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-x-0-2-3-3, open position, with D in the bass (fingers x-x-0-1-2-3).
- Voicing 2: 10-12-12-12-10-10, movable E-shape barre chord at fret 10, with D in the bass.
- Voicing 3: x-5-7-7-8-5, movable A-shape barre chord at fret 5, 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 (3) · A (5) · D (10)
- String 5 (A): A (0) · D (5) · G (10) · A (12)
- String 4 (D): D (0) · G (5) · A (7) · D (12)
- String 3 (G): G (0) · A (2) · D (7) · G (12)
- String 2 (B): D (3) · G (8) · A (10)
- String 1 (E): G (3) · A (5) · D (10)
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): 0-2-3-0; it sounds G, D, G and A.
D suspended fourth on piano
- Keys: D4, G4 and A4.
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 (Dsus4/G): G, A and D, with G in the bass.
- Second inversion (Dsus4/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 (2 sharps) | Isus4 | Tonic |
| C major (no sharps or flats) | IIsus4 | Supertonic |
| B♭ major (2 flats) | IIIsus4 | Mediant |
| G major (1 sharp) | Vsus4 | Dominant |
| F major (1 flat) | VIsus4 | Submediant |
| D minor (1 flat) | Isus4 | Tonic |
| B minor (2 sharps) | IIIsus4 | Mediant |
| A minor (no sharps or flats) | IVsus4 | Subdominant |
| G minor (2 flats) | Vsus4 | Dominant |
| E minor (1 sharp) | VIIsus4 | Subtonic |
Progressions with D suspended fourth
- Sus4 resolution in D major (Isus4–I): Dsus4 – D
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.
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.