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Dsus4 Chord

Dsus4 holds G, the fourth, where a major chord would use its third. Letting that fourth move to the third is the small release to listen for.

  • Notes: D-G-A
  • Symbol: Dsus4
  • Vsus4 in G major
  • Fourth instead of third
Switch chordDsus4

How to play a Dsus4 chord

Notes: D - G - A · symbol Dsus4

  • Root position

    D - G - A
    C4C5
    Right hand 1-3-5 · Left 5-3-1

  • 1st inversion

    G - A - D
    C4C5
    Right hand 1-2-5 · Left 5-3-1

  • 2nd inversion

    A - D - G
    C4C5
    Right hand 1-3-5 · Left 5-2-1

Where does Dsus4 belong?

The fourth takes the third's place, making Dsus4 useful as a brief delay before the major chord.
Play the role cards to hear how its surrounding chords change the job it does; Diatonic Chords explains the basic numbered roles.

  • In G majorDelayed dominant
    Vsus4

    The fourth holds back the third for a moment before the V resolves to G.

    GIDsus4Vsus4DVGI
  • In D majorSuspension and release
    Isus4

    Lift the third to the fourth and let it fall back: a classic rhythm guitar move.

    DIDsus4Isus4DI

Progressions to try

  • GDsus4DG

    Hold Dsus4 before the ordinary major chord on the same root; the suspended note then resolves into the third.

  • DDsus4D

    The home chord briefly becomes Dsus4 and releases without changing the bass.

Which shape should you use?

On guitar, start with the open xx0233 grip. Let the open strings ring and keep any strings marked x silent. The x55785 shape gives you another position when the neighboring chords sit elsewhere on the neck.

On ukulele, the open shape 0230 is the easiest place to start. The 7755 grip moves the chord to another register.

On piano, play D-G-A. Move D up an octave to reach the first inversion, G-A-D; the notes remain the same while the lowest voice changes.

What are the inversions?

D is the root, G the fourth and A the fifth. There is no third in this chord.

  • Root position: D-G-A, with D lowest.
  • First inversion: G-A-D, written Dsus4/G if G is lowest in the whole arrangement.
  • Second inversion: A-D-G, written Dsus4/A if A is lowest in the whole arrangement.

A slash chord names the note in the bass, not merely the lowest note under one hand. Chord Inversions shows how to read that distinction.

How does Dsus4 differ from D?

Keep D and A while G moves down to F sharp. That resolves Dsus4 into D; the root and fifth never moved. Try that one-note change on piano, then use the comparer to hear it in the full chord. See D for the other chord's full spelling and roles.

  • Dsus4

    D - G - A
    C4

    D sus4

  • D

    D - F# - A
    C4

    D major

Try another chord