Db Dominant Seventh Suspended Fourth Guitar Chord (Db7sus4) | Easy Ways to Play It
Our focus in this tutorial is the Db 7sus4 chord, a member of the suspended chord family. The suspended chord, as the name implies, creates a sense of suspense or tension that needs to be resolved. The Db 7sus4 chord is formed by the notes Db, Gb, Ab, and Cb, creating a unique sound that can add depth to your guitar playing.
The intervals that build this chord are the 1 (Root), 4 (Perfect Fourth), 5 (Perfect Fifth), and b7 (Minor Seventh). If you're new to the concept of music intervals, you may want to refer to our tutorial about fretboard intervals to familiarize yourself with these terms.
In the world of guitar chords, the Db 7sus4 chord is a fascinating one. It belongs to the suspended (sus) guitar chords family, which are chords without the third. This gives them a unique sound that's neither major nor minor, but somewhere in between.
To further understand the structure of the Db 7sus4 chord, you may want to check out our guitar music theory tutorial which teaches how to build chords by stacking intervals. This will give you a deeper understanding of how this chord and others are constructed.
Once you've grasped the theory, it's time to get practical. We'll provide chord diagrams and fretboard patterns to show you exactly how to play the Db 7sus4 chord. These visual aids will help you see where to place your fingers on the fretboard to produce the correct sound.
So, get ready to dive into the intriguing world of the Db 7sus4 chord. Whether you're a beginner looking to expand your chord vocabulary or an advanced player seeking to explore new sounds, this chord is a fantastic addition to your guitar toolkit.
Notes of the Db 7sus4 chord:
How the Dominant Seventh Suspended Fourth chord is built:
How To Play The Db7sus4 chord on guitar
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Position 1
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Position 2
Barre
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Position 3
Barre
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Position 4
Barre
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FAQ
What are the specific notes that form the Db 7sus4 chord?
The Db 7sus4 chord is comprised of the notes Db, Gb, Ab, and Cb. These are derived from its foundational intervals: the Root (Db), Perfect Fourth (Gb), Perfect Fifth (Ab), and Minor Seventh (Cb).
Why is it called a 'suspended' (sus) chord?
The Db 7sus4 chord is called 'suspended' because, like all suspended chords, it intentionally omits the third interval. Instead of a major or minor third, it uses a perfect fourth (Gb in this case), creating a sense of tension or anticipation that often feels like it needs to resolve.
How does the Db 7sus4 chord achieve a sound that is 'neither major nor minor'?
The characteristic 'neither major nor minor' sound of the Db 7sus4 chord comes from the absence of the third interval. The third is the note that defines a chord as either major or minor. By replacing it with a perfect fourth, the chord loses that specific major/minor quality, creating a unique, open, and often unresolved sound.
What is the significance of the 'b7' interval in the Db 7sus4 chord?
The 'b7' refers to the Minor Seventh interval. In the Db 7sus4 chord, this is the note Cb. The presence of the minor seventh adds a distinct 'dominant' quality to the suspended chord, contributing to its tension and its tendency to resolve to another chord, often a major or minor chord built on the root.
What is the key difference between a Db 7sus4 chord and a standard Db7 chord?
The primary difference lies in the third interval. A standard Db7 (dominant seventh) chord includes a major third, giving it its characteristic dominant sound. The Db 7sus4 chord, however, replaces this major third with a perfect fourth, which removes the major/minor quality and creates a 'suspended' tension that seeks resolution.