Tools / Chords / D 7th suspended 4th

D 7th suspended 4th chord on guitar (D7sus4)

Also written D7sus4, D or D Dominant 7th Suspended 4th

D 7th suspended 4th contains D, G, A, and C. The open voicing mutes both low strings, leaving a compact four-string grip that sits high on the neck.

Open×-×-0-2-1-3

Positions on the neck1 of 5

How it’s built

D1Root

G4Perfect 4th

A5Perfect 5th

C♭7Minor 7th

Formula 1, 4, 5, ♭7

Positions on the neck1 of 5

Inversions

The same three notes, with a different one in the bass.

Root positionD–G–A–CD7sus4Bass D

First inversionG–A–C–DD7sus4/GBass G

Second inversionA–C–D–GD7sus4/ABass A

Third inversionC–D–G–AD7sus4/CBass C

Why it sounds like that

D 7th suspended 4th is built from the formula 1, 4, 5, ♭7. The perfect 4th from D to G replaces the major 3rd, creating the suspended quality. Compare it to D suspended 4th, which lacks the minor 7th C.

What goes wrong with D 7th suspended 4th?

The low E or A string sounds because the thumb doesn't mute both strings.
The ring finger flattens and deadens the B string.
The open D string is accidentally muted by the palm.

When to use it

D 7th suspended 4th functions as the V chord in G major, resolving to G major in a I–IV–V–I progression. It also fits D minor and D 5th chords, adding a suspended dominant color. Use it in folk, country, and pop where a lighter voicing is preferred.

Changing to and from D 7th suspended 4th

Move to D minor by lifting the middle finger from the G string and placing it on the 1st fret of the high E string.
Slide the shape down two frets to the 8th fret to play C 7th suspended 4th.

Which voicing to use

The open voicing keeps the bass on D and is the most direct grip. The 10th fret barre version offers a higher register with the same bass note, useful for adding brightness.

How do you play a D 7th suspended 4th chord on guitar?

Open

Beginner● On the diagram

D 7th suspended 4th is played in open position as × × 0 2 1 3: middle finger on the G string at fret 2, index finger on the B string at fret 1 and ring finger on the high e string at fret 3. The D string rings open. The low E and A strings stay muted.

Tip — The ring finger must reach the 3rd fret on the high E while the index and middle fingers hold adjacent frets without muting the open D string.

String-by-string breakdown

String	Fret	Finger	Note
6 (E)	muted	—	—
5 (A)	muted	—	—
4 (D)	open	—	D (1)
3 (G)	2	2	A (5)
2 (B)	1	1	C (♭7)
1 (e)	3	3	G (4)

10th fret · 10-10-10-12-10-10

Barre

D 7th suspended 4th is played at the 10th fret as 10 10 10 12 10 10: barre your index finger across fret 10 and pinky finger on the G string at fret 12.

String-by-string breakdown

String	Fret	Finger	Note
6 (E)	10	1 (barre)	D (1)
5 (A)	10	1 (barre)	G (4)
4 (D)	10	1 (barre)	C (♭7)
3 (G)	12	4	G (4)
2 (B)	10	1 (barre)	A (5)
1 (e)	10	1 (barre)	D (1)

10th fret · 10-12-10-12-10-10

Barre

D 7th suspended 4th is played at the 10th fret as 10 12 10 12 10 10: barre your index finger across fret 10, ring finger on the A string at fret 12 and pinky finger on the G string at fret 12.

String-by-string breakdown

String	Fret	Finger	Note
6 (E)	10	1 (barre)	D (1)
5 (A)	12	3	A (5)
4 (D)	10	1 (barre)	C (♭7)
3 (G)	12	4	G (4)
2 (B)	10	1 (barre)	A (5)
1 (e)	10	1 (barre)	D (1)

D7sus4/G inversion · 3-0-0-0-1-3

Beginner

D 7th suspended 4th is played in open position as 3 0 0 0 1 3: middle finger on the low E string at fret 3, index finger on the B string at fret 1 and ring finger on the high e string at fret 3. The A, D and G strings ring open.

String-by-string breakdown

String	Fret	Finger	Note
6 (E)	3	2	G (4)
5 (A)	open	—	A (5)
4 (D)	open	—	D (1)
3 (G)	open	—	G (4)
2 (B)	1	1	C (♭7)
1 (e)	3	3	G (4)

D7sus4/G inversion · 3-0-0-2-1-3

Beginner

D 7th suspended 4th is played in open position as 3 0 0 2 1 3: ring finger on the low E string at fret 3, middle finger on the G string at fret 2, index finger on the B string at fret 1 and pinky finger on the high e string at fret 3. The A and D strings ring open.

String-by-string breakdown

String	Fret	Finger	Note
6 (E)	3	3	G (4)
5 (A)	open	—	A (5)
4 (D)	open	—	D (1)
3 (G)	2	2	A (5)
2 (B)	1	1	C (♭7)
1 (e)	3	4	G (4)

Common questions

What is the difference between D 7th suspended 4th and D suspended 4th?

D 7th suspended 4th adds the minor 7th C to the D suspended 4th triad. That extra note gives it a dominant function and a stronger pull toward G major.

Why are the low E and A strings muted in the open position?

D remains a supplied chord tone; mute it only to preserve the displayed bass order. This preserves the root-position voicing and prevents the chord from sounding muddy.

Can D 7th suspended 4th be played as a barre chord?

Yes, the 10th fret position uses a full barre across all six strings. That shape is movable and gives a thicker, more sustained sound.

String

Fret

Finger

Note

6 (E)

muted

—

5 (A)

muted

—

4 (D)

open

—

D (1)

3 (G)

A (5)

2 (B)

C (♭7)

1 (e)

G (4)

String

Fret

Finger

Note

6 (E)

1 (barre)

D (1)

5 (A)

1 (barre)

G (4)

4 (D)

1 (barre)

C (♭7)

3 (G)

G (4)

2 (B)

1 (barre)

A (5)

1 (e)

1 (barre)

D (1)

String

Fret

Finger

Note

6 (E)

1 (barre)

D (1)

5 (A)

A (5)

4 (D)

1 (barre)

C (♭7)

3 (G)

G (4)

2 (B)

1 (barre)

A (5)

1 (e)

1 (barre)

D (1)

String

Fret

Finger

Note

6 (E)

G (4)

5 (A)

open

—

A (5)

4 (D)

open

—

D (1)

3 (G)

open

—

G (4)

2 (B)

C (♭7)

1 (e)

G (4)

String

Fret

Finger

Note

6 (E)

G (4)

5 (A)

open

—

A (5)

4 (D)

open

—

D (1)

3 (G)

A (5)

2 (B)

C (♭7)

1 (e)

G (4)