CifraLab

Dsus4 Guitar Chord

Dsus4 guitar chord: see the fingering, compare positions, and hear it before you play.

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Shape 1/3
Chord shapes:(3 positions)
Dsus4Guitar fingering diagram for Dsus41234××123STRING6ª×5ª×4ªD3ªA2ªD1ªG
View HD sheet

What sets Dsus4 apart

Play Dsus4 one string at a time and you hear D, G and A. D is the root, G the fourth and A the fifth.

From the low string to the high one you hear D, A, D and G. The root, D, shows up twice in the main shape. The lowest note is D on string 4 and the highest is G on string 1.

In Dsus4, string 4 is played open and adds D. Strings 6 and 5 are not played. Everything fits between frets 2 and 3. Besides the main one there are two more shapes, at frets 5 and 10.

D is one change away. String 1 moves from fret 3 to fret 2, bringing in F#, the major third of D. It shares two notes with G, D and G. The change that keeps the most fingers still is to G. One stays in place.

You will find Dsus4 in ten different keys. In D major it is the Isus4, in G major the Vsus4 and in F major the VIsus4. The rest appear in the key list. Further down there is a song that uses it.

Chord Progressions

Explore recommended harmonic circles on CifraLab:

01D D - Bm - Em - A702F#m F#m - D - Bm - C#7
Music Theory & Formula

Component notes and harmonic structure (Dsus4)

Formula: Suspended Fourth (1 - 4 - 5)
Constituent chord intervals:

D 1G 4A 5

Root Bass (Fundamental String)4th String (D) • Fret 0 (D)

String Control (Muted & Active)4 / 6 • 2 X Muted

3 Fretboard Positions

Other fretboard positions for Dsus4:

01

Standard

Standard Position
4 / 6 stringsRoot: 4th String (D)
String Control (Muted & Active):
6th String (Low E)
×Muted
Do not play
5th String (A)
×Muted
Do not play
Root
4th String (D)
○Open
DDegree 1
3rd String (G)
Fret 2Finger 1
ADegree 5
2nd String (B)
Fret 3Finger 2
DDegree 1
1st String (High E)
Fret 3Finger 3
GDegree 4

Placement tip: Press: 3rd String (G) at fret 2 with your Index finger, 2nd String (B) at fret 3 with your Middle finger, 1st String (High E) at fret 3 with your Ring finger. Play open: 4th String (D). Don't play: 6th String (Low E), 5th String (A).

02

Barre 5

Barre fret 5
5 / 6 stringsRoot: 5th String (A)
String Control (Muted & Active):
6th String (Low E)
×Muted
Do not play
Root
5th String (A)
Fret 5Barre
DDegree 1
4th String (D)
Fret 7Finger 2
ADegree 5
3rd String (G)
Fret 7Finger 3
DDegree 1
2nd String (B)
Fret 8Finger 4
GDegree 4
1st String (High E)
Fret 5Barre
ADegree 5

Placement tip: Barre fret 5. Press: 4th String (D) at fret 7 with your Middle finger, 3rd String (G) at fret 7 with your Ring finger, 2nd String (B) at fret 8 with your Pinky finger. Don't play: 6th String (Low E).

03

Barre 10

Barre fret 10
6 / 6 stringsRoot: 6th String (Low E)
String Control (Muted & Active):
Root
6th String (Low E)
Fret 10Barre
DDegree 1
5th String (A)
Fret 12
ADegree 5
4th String (D)
Fret 12
DDegree 1
3rd String (G)
Fret 12
GDegree 4
2nd String (B)
Fret 10Barre
ADegree 5
1st String (High E)
Fret 10Barre
DDegree 1

Placement tip: Barre fret 10. Press: 5th String (A) at fret 12, 4th String (D) at fret 12, 3rd String (G) at fret 12.

Biomechanics & Posture

Ergonomic tips to play without tension or fatigue (Dsus4)

Standard Position

The shape in numbers

ItemIn this chord
Frets2 to 3
Fretting fingers3
Open4th
Muted6th and 5th

What to check

The open 4th string sits next to a fretting finger.

What every chord shares is in the fingering reading.

Transitions & Pivot Fingers

Most common chord transitions from Dsus4

Listen: Dsus4 → G · D · Bm

  1. Dsus4
  2. G
  3. Dsus4
  4. D
  5. Dsus4
  6. Bm
Dsus4 → G01
Pivot / Anchor Finger:1 finger stays
Stay in place
  • finger 3: string 1, fret 3
Move
  • finger 2: string 6, fret 3
  • finger 1: string 5, fret 2
Dsus4 → D02
Pivot / Anchor Finger:1 finger stays
Stay in place
  • finger 1: string 3, fret 2
Move
  • finger 3: string 2, fret 3
  • finger 2: string 1, fret 2
Dsus4 → Bm03
Pivot / Anchor Finger:1 shared position
Stay in place
  • string 2, fret 3
Move
  • string 5, fret 2
  • string 4, fret 4
  • string 3, fret 4
  • string 1, fret 2

Dsus4 in every key

Dsus4 sits in the scale of 10 keys.

Main shape at a glance

Difficulty
2/5
Highest fret
3
Frets the hand covers
2
Barre
No
Strings that ring
4/6
Fretting fingers
3

Dsus4 on other instruments

PianoThe same notes on the keyboard.All togetherHear guitar, piano, bass and violin together.
Songs with this chord

Famous songs featuring this chord (Dsus4)

Well-known songs where this chord plays a clear role

01"Free Fallin'"Tom Petty • 1989Part of the main riff (D - Dsus4 - D - Asus4). The best-known chart plays it with a capo on fret 3.
Frequently asked questions

Frequently asked questions about the chord (Dsus4)

The questions that come up most when playing this chord

Which strings are played and which are muted in the Dsus4 chord?

To play the Dsus4 chord on guitar, only 4 strings are played, from string 4 to string 1. Muted strings must be gently dampened with the fleshy side of a fretting finger to prevent dissonance.

What is the root bass note of the Dsus4 chord and on which string is it located?

The primary bass note of the Dsus4 chord is its root note: D. In standard guitar tuning (EADGBe), this bass note is located on string 4 at fret 0.

When strumming or fingerpicking, strike this string first.

What notes make up the Dsus4 chord and what is its formula?

The Dsus4 chord is constructed using the 1 - 4 - 5 formula (Suspended Fourth). Its constituent pitches are D, G, A.

How do you prevent the Dsus4 chord from buzzing or sounding muted?

To prevent the Dsus4 chord from buzzing or sounding muted, press the strings using the tips of your fingers at a strict 90-degree hammer angle. Position each finger immediately behind the fret wire with your thumb centered behind the neck.

What famous songs use the Dsus4 chord?

"Free Fallin'" (Tom Petty, 1989). Part of the main riff (D - Dsus4 - D - Asus4).

The best-known chart plays it with a capo on fret 3.

Study sheet · High resolution

Official Dsus4 chord diagram

Dsus4 guitar chord diagram with fingering for fingers 1 to 4
Download HD sheet

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Other chords in the D family:

Chord D Chord Db Chord Dm Chord D7 Chord Db7 Chord Dmaj7 Chord Dbmaj7 Chord Dm7