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D 7th suspended 4th chord on bass (D7sus4)
Also called or written D7sus4, D or D Dominant 7th Suspended 4th
D 7th suspended 4th contains D, G, A and C. The 10th fret shape demands a wide stretch between the index and ring fingers.
How it is built
Formula 1, 4, 5, ♭7
- Root positionD–G–A–CD7sus410-12-10-12
- First inversionG–A–C–DD7sus4/G3-3-0-2
- Second inversionA–C–D–GD7sus4/A5-5-5-5
- Third inversionC–D–G–AD7sus4/Cno shape on this instrument
How do you play a D 7th suspended 4th chord on bass?
D 7th suspended 4th is played at the 10th fret as 10 12 10 12: index finger on the E string at fret 10, ring finger on the A string at fret 12, middle finger on the D string at fret 10 and pinky finger on the G string at fret 12.
Full note and interval breakdown
| String | Fret | Finger | Note |
|---|---|---|---|
| 4 (E) | 10 | 1 | D (1) |
| 3 (A) | 12 | 3 | A (5) |
| 2 (D) | 10 | 2 | C (♭7) |
| 1 (G) | 12 | 4 | G (4) |
AdvancedThe two-fret stretch between index and ring fingers on adjacent strings is demanding at the 10th fret.
D7sus4/G inversion
D 7th suspended 4th is played in open position as 3 3 0 2: middle finger on the E string at fret 3, ring finger on the A string at fret 3 and index finger on the G string at fret 2. The D string rings open.
Full note and interval breakdown
| String | Fret | Finger | Note |
|---|---|---|---|
| 4 (E) | 3 | 2 | G (4) |
| 3 (A) | 3 | 3 | C (♭7) |
| 2 (D) | open | — | D (1) |
| 1 (G) | 2 | 1 | A (5) |
D7sus4/A inversion
D 7th suspended 4th is played at the 5th fret as 5 5 5 5: barre your index finger across fret 5.
Full note and interval breakdown
| String | Fret | Finger | Note |
|---|---|---|---|
| 4 (E) | 5 | 1 (barre) | A (5) |
| 3 (A) | 5 | 1 (barre) | D (1) |
| 2 (D) | 5 | 1 (barre) | G (4) |
| 1 (G) | 5 | 1 (barre) | C (♭7) |
Why it sounds like that
D 7th suspended 4th is built from the formula 1, 4, 5, ♭7. The perfect 4th between D and G suspends the chord. Compare it with D suspended 4th, which lacks the minor 7th.
What goes wrong with D 7th suspended 4th?
- Allowing the ring finger to touch the 2nd string, muting the D.
- Letting the pinky collapse onto the 1st string, causing a dull note.
When to use it
D 7th suspended 4th functions as the V chord in G major, in progressions like G major–C major–D major–G major (I–IV–V–I). It fits blues and funk lines that need a suspended dominant. Compare D minor for a darker alternative.
Changing to and from D 7th suspended 4th
- Sliding the shape down two frets to the 8th fret gives C 7th suspended 4th.
- Sliding the shape down one fret to the 9th fret gives C♯ 7th suspended 4th.
Which voicing to use
The 10th fret position keeps D in the bass for a root-position sound. The open-string inversion at the 3rd fret puts G in the bass, creating a second-inversion feel.
Other D chords
Common questions
What is the difference between D7sus4 and D7?
D7sus4 replaces the major third (F♯) with a perfect fourth (G). D7 contains F♯, giving it a stronger pull to G major.
Can D7sus4 be used in a minor key?
Yes, D7sus4 fits D natural minor as a dominant chord. It also appears in G natural minor and A natural minor progressions.
Why does the open-string inversion have an open D string?
The open D string is a chord tone of D7sus4. This inversion places G in the bass, creating a second-inversion sound.