Db7sus4 Piano Chord

Piano Diagram of Db7sus4 in Root Position

The Db7sus4 chord is made up of four notes, namely Db, Gb, Ab, and Cb. This chord is known as a suspended second chord since the third note in the chord is substituted with a perfect fourth which creates a sense of suspension. To play the Db7sus4 chord on a piano, you simply need to replace the third note (F) of a Db7 chord with the fourth note (Gb) from its root. Keep reading to get a better understanding of the music theory principles behind this chord.

 

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Fingers Position

 

Db7sus4 Chord Inversions

 

The Db7sus4 chord has a total of 3 inversions:

 Piano Keyboard Diagrams

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Music Theory and Harmony of Db7sus4

 

What are Suspended  Chords?

Suspended chords are a type of chord in which the third note is replaced by either a major second or a perfect fourth. These resulting chords are called suspended second (sus2) or suspended fourth (sus4) chords, respectively. These chords create a unique and sometimes unresolved sound that can add tension and interest to a musical composition.

Suspended chords have a distinct sound that sets them apart from major and minor chords. They are called suspended chords because they temporarily suspend the listener’s expectation of hearing a major or minor stable chord. Instead, they feature a perfect fourth or major second interval in place of the third. Due to their “neutral nature,” suspended chords can sometimes be used as substitutes for both major and minor chords.

The 7sus4 chord is a more intricate and richer version of sus4 chords, thanks to the inclusion of an extra minor 7th note. This additional note makes 7sus4 chords a more suitable choice for dominant and minor 7th chords.

 

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Building the Db7sus4 Chord: Different Approaches

Starting from the Db major Scale

To build a 7sus4 chord, you can use the major scale as a guide and combine a root note, a perfect 4th, a perfect 5th, and a minor 7th interval.

 

 

 

To create a Db7sus4 chord, apply the formula R, 4, 5, m7 in the following manner:

1. Begin with the Root note, Db.
2. Select the 4th interval, Gb.
3. Add the 5th note, Ab.
4. Finally, add the minor 7th interval, which is Cb (which is equivalent to a natural B but we call it Cb to preserve the basic chord structure).

By following this simple formula, you can create a 7sus4 chord from any major scale.

 

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by Combining Intervals

One method to create a dominant suspended 4th chord is by combining three specific intervals – a perfect 4th, a major 2nd, and a minor 3rd.

4 + 2 + m3 = 7sus4 Chords

To illustrate, let’s use the Db7sus4 chord as an example. By examining the intervals between the notes, we can see that Db-Gb forms a perfect 4th interval, Gb-Ab creates a major second interval, and the interval between Ab and Cb is a minor 3rd.

 

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How to Use Db7sus4 in a Chord Progression

 

Suspended chords have a unique quality that sets them apart from major and minor chords. They are considered neither major nor minor, which makes them a great tool for creating tension and suspense in a musical composition before resolving to a stable major or minor chord.

To incorporate a Db7sus4 into a chord progression, you can refer to the following tables, which outline the most common positions where the chord can be found or utilized. However, it’s crucial to understand that, since this chord contains a minor 7th, it isn’t compatible with Maj7 chords, unlike sus2 or sus4 chords. Nevertheless, it can be used on dominant chords and on all positions where a Dbm7 is present.

Db7sus4 as Substitute of Db7

Db7sus4 can be used as a substitute for the Db7 chord in major and minor keys. In Gb major, Db7 can be replaced with Db7sus4 in the V position. Similarly, in the Eb minor key, Db7 can be substituted with Db7sus4 in the VII position which is the leading tone chord.

 

on Major Scales

• Dominant chord in Gb Major

 

on Natural minor Scales

• Leading tone chord in Eb minor

 

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Db7sus4 as Substitute of Db min7

The Db7sus4 chord can be used as a substitute for the Db minor 7th in various major and natural minor scales. However, most of these scales fall under the category of theoretical keys.

A theoretical key refers to a key that exists in music theory but is not commonly used in practice due to its impracticality. It involves a key signature that would require the use of at least one double-flat or double-sharp, which can make reading and notating the music more challenging.

To make things simpler and more practical, it is generally recommended to use their enharmonic equivalent keys instead.

 

on Major Scales

• Supertonic chord in B Major as C#7sus4
• Mediant chord in A Major as C#7sus4
• Submediant chord in E Major as C#7sus4

 

on Natural minor Scales

• Tonic chord in Db minor as C#7sus4
• Subdominant chord in Ab minor
• Dominant chord in Gb minor as C#7sus4

 

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Db7sus4 in Gb Major

In the key of Gb Major, the fifth (dominant) degree is Db7. However, by playing a Db7sus4 chord instead, you can create a sense of tension and expectation, which can then be resolved by returning to the dominant chord or to another degree of the scale.

 

Db7sus4 as V degree – Chord Progressions

ii V I

You can experiment with different ways of playing the Db7sus4 chord in the key of Gb Major. For example, you could play just the Db7sus4 chord, or split the measure in half and play both the Db7sus4 and Db7 chords. Another option is to invert the order of the chords, playing the Db7 chord first and then resolving to the Db7sus4 chord.

I IV V

 

 I V vi IV

 

I IV vi V

 

 I IV ii V iii vi ii V

 

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Db7sus4 in Eb Minor

In the key of Eb minor, the seventh degree features a Db7 chord. Adding a Db7sus4 chord can create a sense of anticipation and tension, preparing the listener for the resolution to the tonic chord. You can experiment with playing just the Db7sus4 chord or combining it with the Db7 chord.

 

Db7sus4 as VII degree – Chord Progressions

i VI VII

 

i v VI VII

 

i III VII VI

 

Circle Progression

 

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Db7sus4 in Cb Major

Check C#7sus4 in B Major

 

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Db7sus4 in Bbb Major

Check C#7sus4 in A Major

 

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Db7sus4 in Fb Major

Check C#7sus4 in E Major

 

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Db7sus4 in Db Minor

Check C#7sus4 in C# minor

 

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Db7sus4 in Ab Minor

When playing in the key of Ab minor, you can try using the Db7sus4 chord as a substitution or variation for the Db major chord on the IV degree.

 

Db7sus4 Chord Progressions as iv degree

iv III VI VII

 

i iv VI v

 

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Db7sus4 in Gb Minor

Check C#7sus4 in F# minor

 

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Alternative Names for Db7sus4

• Db7sus4
• Db7sus(4)
• Db7 add4(no3)
• Db7 add4(omit3)
• Db Dominant Suspended 4th

 

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