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D suspended 2nd chord on bass (Dsus2)
Also called or written Dsus2 or D
D suspended 2nd contains D, E, and A. This beginner shape uses three open strings and one fretted note at fret 2.
How it is built
Formula 1, 2, 5
How do you play a D suspended 2nd chord on bass?
D suspended 2nd is played in open position as 0 0 0 2: index finger on the G string at fret 2. The E, A and D strings ring open.
Full note and interval breakdown
| String | Fret | Finger | Note |
|---|---|---|---|
| 4 (E) | open | — | E (2) |
| 3 (A) | open | — | A (5) |
| 2 (D) | open | — | D (1) |
| 1 (G) | 2 | 1 | A (5) |
BeginnerThe index finger must fret the G string at fret 2 without touching the open D string.
Dsus2/E inversion · fret 12
D suspended 2nd is played at the 12th fret as 12 12 12 14: barre your index finger across fret 12 and pinky finger on the G string at fret 14.
Full note and interval breakdown
| String | Fret | Finger | Note |
|---|---|---|---|
| 4 (E) | 12 | 1 (barre) | E (2) |
| 3 (A) | 12 | 1 (barre) | A (5) |
| 2 (D) | 12 | 1 (barre) | D (1) |
| 1 (G) | 14 | 4 | A (5) |
Dsus2/A inversion
D suspended 2nd is played at the 5th fret as 5 7 7 7: index finger on the E string at fret 5, middle finger on the A string at fret 7, ring finger on the D string at fret 7 and pinky finger on the G string at fret 7.
Full note and interval breakdown
| String | Fret | Finger | Note |
|---|---|---|---|
| 4 (E) | 5 | 1 | A (5) |
| 3 (A) | 7 | 2 | E (2) |
| 2 (D) | 7 | 3 | A (5) |
| 1 (G) | 7 | 4 | D (1) |
Why it sounds like that
D suspended 2nd is built from the formula 1, 2, 5. The major 2nd from D to E replaces the major 3rd of D major, removing its major quality. The perfect 5th from D to A remains, so the chord sounds open and unresolved.
What goes wrong with D suspended 2nd?
- Letting the index finger touch the open D string, muting it.
- Pressing too hard on the G string, causing the note to go sharp.
When to use it
D suspended 2nd works in D major progressions like D–G–A–D (I–IV–V–I). It suits open, ringing bass lines in rock and folk, often substituting for D major to add motion.
Changing to and from D suspended 2nd
- D suspended 2nd shares the open E and A strings with A major, so moving between them keeps those fingers still.
Which voicing to use
The Dsus2/E inversion at fret 0 or 12 puts E in the bass for a floating, unresolved sound. The Dsus2/A inversion at fret 5 grounds the chord with A in the bass, making it more stable.
Other D chords
Common questions
How is D suspended 2nd written?
D suspended 2nd is written as D or Dsus2.
What is the difference between D suspended 2nd and D major?
D suspended 2nd replaces the major 3rd (F♯) of D major with the major 2nd (E). This removes the major quality and creates a suspended, unresolved sound.
Can D suspended 2nd be used in minor keys?
D suspended 2nd appears in D natural minor, where the 2nd (E) is diatonic. It can substitute for D minor chords to add tension without a 3rd.