Dsus2 chord
Dsus2 is D, E and A: 1–2–5 built on D. Below: guitar, piano and ukulele, each playable.
On guitar
x-x-0-2-3-0 · open · easy
- Notes
- D · E · A
- Formula
- 1 · 2 · 5
- First shape
- x-x-0-2-3-0
Dsus2 on guitar: every shape, finger by finger
On piano
root position · D–E–A · right hand 1-3-5
- Notes
- D · E · A
- Formula
- 1 · 2 · 5
Dsus2 on piano: fingering and inversions
On ukulele
2-2-0-0 · open · easy
- Notes
- D · E · A
- Formula
- 1 · 2 · 5
- First shape
- 2-2-0-0
Dsus2 and the chords around it
The moves below are the ones you'll meet most, shown for guitar and piano.
- Dsus2 → D (resolves up to the third)
Guitar: Dsus2 (x-x-0-2-3-0) to D (x-x-0-2-3-2): your index finger stays put, move the middle finger to the high E string, 2nd fret, the ring finger comes down on the B string, 3rd fret. The two chords share D and A, which is why the change sounds smooth.
Piano: Dsus2 to D: play D in root position (D–F♯–A) and D and A stay under the same fingers, while E moves up to F♯. D - Dsus2 → G (IV in D major)
Guitar: Dsus2 (x-x-0-2-3-0) to G (3-2-0-0-0-3): the index finger goes to the A string, 2nd fret, your middle finger lands on the low E string, 3rd fret, the ring finger comes down on the high E string, 3rd fret. No finger can stay, so practice lifting all of them together and landing the new shape as a unit. Listen for D, which stays put while the rest moves.
Piano: Dsus2 to G: play G in 2nd inversion (D–G–B) and D stays under the same finger, while E moves up to G and A up to B. G - Dsus2 → A (V in D major)
Guitar: Dsus2 (x-x-0-2-3-0) to A (x-0-2-2-2-0): the index finger slides across to the D string at the same fret, the middle finger goes to the G string, 2nd fret, the ring finger comes down on the B string, 2nd fret. No finger can stay, so practice lifting all of them together and landing the new shape as a unit. E and A carry over from one chord to the other.
Piano: Dsus2 to A: play A in 1st inversion (C♯–E–A) and E and A stay under the same fingers, while D moves down to C♯. A
Guitar with a capo: capo 2, Csus2 shape; capo 5, Asus2 shape. Ukulele with a capo: capo 2, Csus2 shape; capo 7, Gsus2 shape.
How Dsus2 is built
Dsus2 replaces the third with the second, so it is neither major nor minor. It sounds open and airy, and it often resolves to D or Dm, or simply rings as a color of its own.
Count keys (black and white) from D: 2 half steps up to E then 5 half steps up to A.
| Note | Role | Half steps | Hear it |
|---|---|---|---|
| D | root | 0 | |
| E | major second | 2 | |
| A | perfect fifth | 7 |
Keys and progressions with Dsus2
No major or natural minor key contains Dsus2 as one of its own chords; it turns up as a passing chord on the way somewhere else.
Chords close to Dsus2
- Dsus2 and D differ by one note: E in Dsus2, F♯ in D. They share D and A. D
- Dsus2 and Dsus4 differ by one note: E in Dsus2, G in Dsus4. They share D and A. Dsus4
Chords that share most of their notes with Dsus2: Asus4, Dadd9, D9, D, Dm, Dsus4.
Every D chord
Dsus2 chord: questions
What notes are in the Dsus2 chord?
D, E and A. Dsus2 is built 1–2–5 from D: E is the major second and A is the perfect fifth.
How do you play Dsus2 on guitar?
The usual shape is x-x-0-2-3-0 (open). All 4 guitar shapes.
How do you play Dsus2 on piano?
Play D, E and A with right-hand fingers 1-3-5. D sits between the two black keys. Inversions and left hand.
How do you play Dsus2 on ukulele?
2-2-0-0 in standard GCEA tuning. More ukulele shapes.
What key is Dsus2 in?
No major or natural minor key contains Dsus2 as one of its own chords; it turns up as a passing chord on the way somewhere else.
What's the difference between Dsus2 and D?
Dsus2 and D differ by one note: E in Dsus2, F♯ in D. They share D and A.
Diagrams and sound come from the same data, tested so they match. Updated September 2026.