Piano chord
D7sus4D seventh suspended fourth
- D1
- G4
- A5
- C♭7
- Notes
- 4
- Positions
- 4
- Span
- 10semitones
- Fingers
- 1-3-4-5
How to play D7sus4 on piano
- Find D: it is the root and the lowest note of the chord in root position.
- Right hand: 1 on D, 3 on G, 4 on A, 5 on C.
- Or with the left hand: 5 on D, 3 on G, 2 on A, 1 on C.
- Press the keys together, with curved fingers and a loose wrist, and let them ring.
Root position · D – G – A – C
1st inversion · G – A – C – D
2nd inversion · A – C – D – G
3rd inversion · C – D – G – A
Numbers on the keys are fingers: 1 thumb, 2 index, 3 middle, 4 ring, 5 little finger.
D7sus4 inversions
D7sus4 can be played in 4 positions. In root position D is at the bottom; each inversion moves the lowest note up an octave, so another chord tone becomes the bass.
- Root positionbass: DRight hand 1-3-4-5 · Left hand 5-3-2-1
- 1st inversionbass: GRight hand 1-2-4-5 · Left hand 5-4-2-1
- 2nd inversionbass: ARight hand 1-2-3-5 · Left hand 5-4-3-1
- 3rd inversionbass: CRight hand 1-2-4-5 · Left hand 5-4-2-1
D7sus4 with two hands
A full sound: the left hand plays D an octave lower, the right hand plays D–G–A–C.
D7sus4 on other instruments
About the D7sus4 chord
D seventh suspended fourth has 4 notes: D (1), G (4), A (5), C (♭7). A seventh with a suspended fourth: the dominant seventh without its third, the fourth in its place. Used before the plain seventh chord or as a softer dominant.
Put your thumb on D and count up: D – G – A – C. The whole chord spans 10 semitones from bottom to top. That fits inside an octave, so one hand covers D7sus4 without stretching.
The inversions of D7sus4 keep the same notes in a new order. In the 1st inversion the bass is G (G–A–C–D). In the 2nd inversion the bass is A (A–C–D–G). In the 3rd inversion the bass is C (C–D–G–A).
D7sus4 is Dsus4 with one note added: C.
Questions
What notes are in the D7sus4 chord?
D7sus4 (D seventh suspended fourth) has 4 notes: D (1), G (4), A (5), C (♭7).
How many inversions does D7sus4 have?
D7sus4 can be played in 4 positions: Root position (D–G–A–C); 1st inversion (G–A–C–D); 2nd inversion (A–C–D–G); 3rd inversion (C–D–G–A).
What is the difference between D7sus4 and Dsus4?
D7sus4 is Dsus4 with one note added: C.
Can I play D7sus4 with one hand?
Yes. In root position D7sus4 spans 10 semitones, less than an octave, so one hand holds it easily.