How to Play a D sus 4 Chord in Open Position on Guitar

The Dsus4 chord is a staple of everything from classic rock to present-day pop music. Its sound should be very familiar to you. In this article, you will learn how to construct and play a Dsus4 chord in open position on the guitar.

Things You'll Need

• Guitar

Instructions

1. Play the open fourth string of the guitar. "Open" means you do not fret any part of the string. This is the note D, the root of the chord used in this example.

2. Place your forefinger on the second fret of the third string (G string) of the guitar. This is the fifth degree of the D major scale.

3. Place your ring finger on the third fret of the second string (B string). This is the note D, played one octave above the root note of the chord.

4. Using your pinky, push down on the third fret of the first string (high E string). This is the note G, the sus or "suspended" fourth degree of the D major scale. You will notice that the note sounds like it wants to resolve downward. This unsettled sound is why the chord is referred to as "suspended."

5. Strum the chord. Play each of the notes together in one sweeping motion. That's it! You now know how to play a Dsus4 chord in open position on the guitar.

Tips & Warnings

• To create a very familiar sound, remove your pinky from the first string and replace it with your middle finger on the second fret of the first string. You are now playing a standard D major chord. Go back and forth between the standard D major chord and the Dsus4 you just learned to play a timeless chord change that you will instantly recognize.