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D suspended 4th chord on bass (Dsus4)
Also called or written Dsus4, Dsus or D Suspended
D suspended 4th contains D, G, and A. The 10th-fret shape is a stretch, but the inversion at the 3rd fret uses open strings for an easier grip.
How it is built
Formula 1, 4, 5
- Root positionD–G–ADsus410-12-12-12
- First inversionG–A–DDsus4/G3-0-0-0
- Second inversionA–D–GDsus4/A5-5-5-7
How do you play a D suspended 4th chord on bass?
D suspended 4th is played at the 10th fret as 10 12 12 12: index finger on the E string at fret 10, middle finger on the A string at fret 12, ring finger on the D string at fret 12 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 | 2 | A (5) |
| 2 (D) | 12 | 3 | D (1) |
| 1 (G) | 12 | 4 | G (4) |
IntermediateThe three-fret stretch from the index on the 4th string to the pinky on the 1st string demands a wide hand span.
Dsus4/G inversion · G on top
D suspended 4th is played in open position as 3 0 0 0: index finger on the E string at fret 3. The A, D and G strings ring open.
Full note and interval breakdown
| String | Fret | Finger | Note |
|---|---|---|---|
| 4 (E) | 3 | 1 | G (4) |
| 3 (A) | open | — | A (5) |
| 2 (D) | open | — | D (1) |
| 1 (G) | open | — | G (4) |
Dsus4/G inversion · A on top
D suspended 4th is played in open position as 3 0 0 2: middle finger on the E string at fret 3 and index finger on the G string at fret 2. The A and D strings ring open.
Full note and interval breakdown
| String | Fret | Finger | Note |
|---|---|---|---|
| 4 (E) | 3 | 2 | G (4) |
| 3 (A) | open | — | A (5) |
| 2 (D) | open | — | D (1) |
| 1 (G) | 2 | 1 | A (5) |
Dsus4/A inversion
D suspended 4th is played at the 5th fret as 5 5 5 7: barre your index finger across fret 5 and pinky finger on the G string at fret 7.
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) | 7 | 4 | D (1) |
Why it sounds like that
D suspended 4th is built from the formula 1, 4, 5 — the root D, the perfect fourth G, and the perfect fifth A. The fourth replaces the third, which removes the major or minor quality and leaves an open, unresolved sound. Compare it with D major, where the third is F♯.
What goes wrong with D suspended 4th?
- Letting the pinky collapse and mute the 1st string.
- Pressing the middle finger too flat and deadening the 2nd string.
- Rushing the shift so the index lands short of the 10th fret.
When to use it
D suspended 4th works as a suspended colour in D major progressions like D–G–A–D, the I–IV–V–I, where it delays the resolution of D major. It also fits folk, pop, and rock when a chord needs to hover before landing.
Changing to and from D suspended 4th
- Move to D major by lifting the middle finger and placing it on the 3rd string, 11th fret while keeping the index and ring in place.
- Slide the shape down two frets to the 8th fret to reach C suspended 4th.
Which voicing to use
The 10th-fret shape puts D in the bass for a rooted, stable sound. The Dsus4/G inversion places G in the bass, which softens the chord and works well when the bass line is descending toward D.
Other D chords
Common questions
How is D suspended 4th written?
D suspended 4th is written as Dsus or Dsus4. The symbol Dsus4 specifies the fourth explicitly, while Dsus assumes it.
What is the difference between D suspended 4th and D suspended 2nd?
D suspended 4th replaces the third with the fourth, G. D suspended 2nd replaces the third with the second, E, creating an even more open sound.
Can D suspended 4th resolve to D minor?
Yes, D suspended 4th can resolve to D minor by moving the fourth down a half step to the minor third, F. This resolution is common in classical and folk music.