Notes in Dsus2
Dsus2 is made of three notes: D, E, and A. It takes the D major chord (D - F# - A) and replaces the third, F#, with the second note of the scale, E. “Sus” is short for “suspended,” and the 2 tells you the third has been replaced by the second.
Because the chord has no third, it is neither major nor minor. Many people describe it as open, airy, or unresolved.
How to play it
All three notes are white keys, so it is an easy chord to find.
- Place your right thumb (finger 1) on D.
- Put your index or middle finger (2 or 3) on the E just above.
- Put your little finger (5) on A.
A common fingering is 1 - 2 - 5. Some players prefer 1 - 3 - 5, which is also fine; use whichever feels relaxed. In your left hand you can play a single low D, or D and A together as an open fifth.
Inversions
Like any chord, Dsus2 can be flipped so a different note is lowest.
| Position | Notes (low to high) |
|---|---|
| Root position | D - E - A |
| First inversion | E - A - D |
| Second inversion | A - D - E |
Notice that the second inversion (A - D - E) is the same set of notes as Asus4, the A sus4 chord. This is why a Dsus2 and an Asus4 can sound alike; the sound of the chord depends on which note you hear as the bass.
Dsus2 vs D major vs Dsus4
| Chord | Notes | Difference |
|---|---|---|
| D major | D - F# - A | Has a major third |
| Dsus2 | D - E - A | Second replaces the third |
| Dsus4 | D - G - A | Fourth replaces the third |
On the piano, Dsus4 is also all white keys. The sus2 sounds a little more open, and the sus4 has a stronger pull to resolve. A suspended chord is generally one where the third is replaced by a neighboring note. The melodic cousin of this idea, a held note that resolves by step, is covered under suspensions in embellishing tones in music theory.
Using Dsus2 in progressions
A classic move is to play Dsus2 and then move to D major by raising E to F#. Other ideas:
- D - Dsus2 - D - Dsus2: a rocking pattern over a held D bass.
- Dsus2 - Dsus4 - D: the middle note moves E, then G, then F#.
- As a substitute chord: try Dsus2 in place of a plain D in a common progression, especially I-V-vi-IV in D (D - A - Bm - G).
Because the chord has no third, it works over some melodies where a major or minor chord would clash, though it does not suit every melody.
Other sus chords on piano
The same idea works from any root. For G, Gsus2 is G - A - D, and Gsus4 is G - C - D. Replace the third (B) with A or C. To add more color, see our overview of good chord progressions and the seventh and major 7 chord ideas there.
Practice ideas
- Find Dsus2, Dsus4, and D major in a row, holding D and A while moving only the middle note.
- Play all three inversions of Dsus2 up the keyboard.
- Repeat with Gsus2 and Asus2 to get used to the pattern.