Explore chords · Ukulele
D suspended 2nd chord on ukulele (Dsus2)
Also called or written Dsus2 or D
D suspended 2nd contains D, E, and A. The open position mutes the G string and is a beginner-friendly shape.
How it is built
Formula 1, 2, 5
How do you play a D suspended 2nd chord on ukulele?
D suspended 2nd is played in open position as × 2 0 0: index finger on the C string at fret 2. The E and A strings ring open. The G string stays muted.
Full note and interval breakdown
| String | Fret | Finger | Note |
|---|---|---|---|
| 4 (G) | muted | — | — |
| 3 (C) | 2 | 1 | D (1) |
| 2 (E) | open | — | E (2) |
| 1 (A) | open | — | A (5) |
BeginnerThe only fretted note is the C string at fret 2, so the challenge is muting the G string cleanly.
Dsus2/E inversion
D suspended 2nd is played at the 4th fret as × 4 5 5: index finger on the C string at fret 4, middle finger on the E string at fret 5 and ring finger on the A string at fret 5. The G string stays muted.
Full note and interval breakdown
| String | Fret | Finger | Note |
|---|---|---|---|
| 4 (G) | muted | — | — |
| 3 (C) | 4 | 1 | E (2) |
| 2 (E) | 5 | 2 | A (5) |
| 1 (A) | 5 | 3 | D (1) |
Dsus2/A inversion
D suspended 2nd is played at the 9th fret as 9 9 10 ×: index finger on the G string at fret 9, middle finger on the C string at fret 9 and ring finger on the E string at fret 10. The A string stays muted.
Full note and interval breakdown
| String | Fret | Finger | Note |
|---|---|---|---|
| 4 (G) | 9 | 1 | E (2) |
| 3 (C) | 9 | 2 | A (5) |
| 2 (E) | 10 | 3 | D (1) |
| 1 (A) | muted | — | — |
Open · 2-2-0-0
D suspended 2nd is played in open position as 2 2 0 0: index finger on the G string at fret 2 and middle finger on the C string at fret 2. The E and A strings ring open.
Full note and interval breakdown
| String | Fret | Finger | Note |
|---|---|---|---|
| 4 (G) | 2 | 1 | A (5) |
| 3 (C) | 2 | 2 | D (1) |
| 2 (E) | open | — | E (2) |
| 1 (A) | open | — | A (5) |
Why it sounds like that
D suspended 2nd is built from the formula 1, 2, 5. The major 2nd between D and E replaces the major 3rd of D major, creating an open, unresolved sound. The perfect 5th anchors the chord.
What goes wrong with D suspended 2nd?
- Letting the G string ring out; mute it with the fretting-hand thumb.
- Pressing the C string too hard and bending it sharp.
- Accidentally touching the open E or A strings with the fretting hand.
When to use it
D suspended 2nd works as a passing chord in D major progressions like D–G–A–D (I–IV–V–I). It suits folk and pop strumming where the suspended 2nd adds tension before resolution. Use it before D major to delay the tonic.
Changing to and from D suspended 2nd
- Move to D major by adding your middle finger to the E string fret 2 and your ring finger to the A string fret 2.
- Slide the whole shape up two frets to the 4th fret to play E suspended 2nd.
Which voicing to use
The open position puts D in the bass and is the easiest voicing. The Dsus2/A inversion at frets 2-2-0-0 gives a lower, darker sound with A in the bass. Choose the Dsus2/E inversion when you want the 2nd in the bass for a suspended feel.
Other D chords
Common questions
How does D suspended 2nd differ from D add 9?
D suspended 2nd replaces the 3rd with the 2nd, so it has no major or minor quality. D add 9 keeps the major 3rd and adds the 2nd on top, giving a fuller major sound.
Can D suspended 2nd resolve to D minor?
Yes, D suspended 2nd can resolve to D minor because the 2nd (E) moves down to the minor 3rd (F). The lack of a 3rd in the sus2 makes the resolution smooth.
Why does the G string need to be muted?
The open G string is not part of D suspended 2nd, so it would add an outside note. Muting it keeps the chord voicing clean and focused on D, E, and A.