The D sus 4 chord contains the notes D, G and A. It is produced by taking the 1 (root), 4 and 5 of the D Major scale. It is essentially an D Major chord, with the 3rd (F#) taken out and the 4th (G) added in.
By omitting the 3rd and adding the 4th, the chord feels ‘suspended‘. The 4th creates a feeling of tension, which feels resolved when the chord moves to the standard Major chord (bringing the 3rd back in). To demonstrate this, try the following chord progression:
D Major – D sus 4 – D Major
Just by strumming those three chords once each, you will hear the the tension that is created by moving to the D sus 4 chord. You will also hear the resolution that is created by moving from the sus chord back to the Major chord.
D sus 4 is often used as a way of adding flavour to the D Major chord. The D sus 4 chord is often substituted momentarily, when playing the D chord, to create a quick sense of musical movement and interest.
The most common way to play the D suspended 4 chord is in the open position (first shape in the pic below).
10 Ways To Play The D Sus 4 Chord
If you’ve come to this page just to view some chord diagrams for D suspended 4, here they are.
Some Quick D Sus 4 Chord Theory
- The D suspended 4 chord contains the notes D, G and A.
- The D sus 4 chord is produced by taking the 1 (root), 4, 5 of the D Major scale.
- D sus 4 often resolves to D Major. They work together like a pair.
- The 4th (G) sounds like it is suspended in the chord and wants to resolve.
Further Reading
