Tools / Chords / D 7th suspended 4th

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

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

D 7th suspended 4th is built from D, G, A, and C. The default shape requires a four-finger stretch across two frets, testing finger independence.

2nd fret2-2-3-3

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 uses the formula 1, 4, 5, ♭7. The perfect 4th from D to G creates the suspended quality, while the minor 7th from D to C adds dominant tension. Compare it to D suspended 4th, which omits the 7th.

What goes wrong with D 7th suspended 4th?

Letting your pinky collapse onto the A string, causing a buzz.
Flattening your ring finger onto the E string, muting it.
Fretting the G string with too much pressure, sharpening the pitch.

When to use it

D 7th suspended 4th acts as the V chord in G major, resolving to G major in progressions like I–IV–V–I (G major–C major–D major–G major). Its bright, open sound suits country, rock, and pop. Use it to create a suspended lift before a G major resolution. Compare D minor.

Changing to and from D 7th suspended 4th

Move to <a href="/ukulele/c-sharp-7-sus4-chord">C♯ 7th suspended 4th</a> by shifting the shape down one fret.
Slide the shape up one fret to reach <a href="/ukulele/e-flat-7-sus4-chord">E♭ 7th suspended 4th</a>.

Which voicing to use

The 2nd fret shape has D in the bass, giving a root-position sound. The C inversion at 0-0-5-5 puts the 7th in the bass, adding tension. The G inversion at 5-7-5-5 has the 4th in the bass, creating a softer feel.

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

2nd fret

Intermediate● On the diagram

D 7th suspended 4th is played at the 2nd fret as 2 2 3 3: index finger on the G string at fret 2, middle finger on the C string at fret 2, ring finger on the E string at fret 3 and pinky finger on the A string at fret 3.

Tip — The pinky must reach the 3rd fret A string while the index and middle fingers hold the 2nd fret, requiring a wide stretch.

String-by-string breakdown

String	Fret	Finger	Note
4 (G)	2	1	A (5)
3 (C)	2	2	D (1)
2 (E)	3	3	G (4)
1 (A)	3	4	C (♭7)

D7sus4/C inversion · open position

Intermediate

D 7th suspended 4th is played in open position as 0 0 5 5: index finger on the E string at fret 5 and middle finger on the A string at fret 5. The G and C strings ring open.

String-by-string breakdown

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

D7sus4/G inversion

Intermediate

D 7th suspended 4th is played at the 5th fret as 5 7 5 5: index finger on the G string at fret 5, pinky finger on the C string at fret 7, middle finger on the E string at fret 5 and ring finger on the A string at fret 5.

String-by-string breakdown

String	Fret	Finger	Note
4 (G)	5	1	C (♭7)
3 (C)	7	4	G (4)
2 (E)	5	2	A (5)
1 (A)	5	3	D (1)

D7sus4/C inversion · fret 10

Intermediate

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

String-by-string breakdown

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

Open

Intermediate

D 7th suspended 4th is played in open position as 0 2 5 3: index finger on the C string at fret 2, ring finger on the E string at fret 5 and middle finger on the A string at fret 3. The G string rings open.

String-by-string breakdown

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

Common questions

How is D 7th suspended 4th written?

D 7th suspended 4th is written as D7sus4 or D. The alternate name is Dominant 7th Suspended 4th.

What is the difference between D7sus4 and D7?

D7sus4 replaces the major 3rd (F♯) with a perfect 4th (G). D7 contains the major 3rd, giving it a stronger dominant pull. The suspended version sounds more open and less resolved.

Can D7sus4 be used in minor keys?

Yes, D7sus4 appears in D natural minor as the VII chord. It also fits A natural minor and G natural minor. Its lack of a major 3rd makes it flexible across modes.

String

Fret

Finger

Note

4 (G)

A (5)

3 (C)

D (1)

2 (E)

G (4)

1 (A)

C (♭7)

String

Fret

Finger

Note

4 (G)

open

—

G (4)

3 (C)

open

—

C (♭7)

2 (E)

A (5)

1 (A)

D (1)

String

Fret

Finger

Note

4 (G)

C (♭7)

3 (C)

G (4)

2 (E)

A (5)

1 (A)

D (1)

String

Fret

Finger

Note

4 (G)

G (4)

3 (C)

C (♭7)

2 (E)

D (1)

1 (A)

A (5)

String

Fret

Finger

Note

4 (G)

open

—

G (4)

3 (C)

D (1)

2 (E)

A (5)

1 (A)

C (♭7)