The Dsus4 chord contains D, G and A. Its formula is 1–4–5: the fourth, G, replaces the third. Neither F nor F♯ belongs to this three-note chord.
The Dsus4 chord has a perfect fourth from D to G and a perfect fifth from D to A. Compare D major, D–F♯–A, by moving G down one semitone to F♯.
Preserve the written note spelling shown for this chord.
Choose a position to keep the written notes, sounding keys, bass note, playback and print reference synchronized.
Check the Dsus4 chord by selecting D, G and A in the exercise. Choosing E instead of G gives the note set of Dsus2, while F♯ gives D major.
Dsus4 uses 1–4–5: D–G–A.
Compared with D major, replace the third with the fourth.
The chord tones stay the same while the lowest chord tone changes.
| Position | Symbol | Notes, low to high | Bass |
|---|---|---|---|
| Root position, current selection | Dsus4 | D4–G4–A4 | D4 |
| First inversion | Dsus4/G | G4–A4–D5 | G4 |
| Second inversion | Dsus4/A | A4–D5–G5 | A4 |
Choose a Dsus4 chord position to compare the lowest note. Each inversion keeps D, G and A. The keyboard diagrams identify the keys; they do not prescribe finger numbers.
Use the written notes, keyboard positions and playback without treating the diagram as a required hand shape.
Read left- and right-hand finger numbersPianoChord.org
Supports: sus4 chord formula and written tone pattern
Scope: Supports the chord formula and spelling only; keyboard layouts are PianoGrid examples, and no fingering is assigned.
D, G and A: root, perfect fourth and perfect fifth. There is no third in this note set.
Dsus4 uses G, the fourth above D; Dsus2 uses E, the second. Both keep the root D and fifth A.
The unqualified sus symbol commonly indicates sus4. Check the score or chord chart when the intended note set is unclear.
G moving to F♯ creates D major and is a useful listening comparison. That movement is not required in every musical context.
Select the three pitch classes that make Dsus4, then check your answer.
This one-octave exercise checks pitch classes. Order and octave do not affect the result; fingering and live performance are not assessed.
One octave, C through B. Select a key again to remove it.
Chord tones: D–G–A · Formula: 1, 4, 5
Dots mark the notes to play. C4 is middle C. Numbers identify octaves, not fingers.