D♭6sus4/A♭ guitar shapes

Popular fretboard positions with fingering suggestions

Showing 8 of 22 playable shapes

About the chord

D♭6 suspended 4th / A♭ (2nd inversion)

D♭6sus4/A♭ is the D♭6 suspended 4th / A♭ (2nd inversion) guitar chord with A♭ in the bass. It uses the notes D♭, G♭, A♭, and B♭ and the interval formula 1-4-5-6.

The D♭6 suspended 4th 6 suspended 4th chord blends the suspended 4th with a major sixth B♭, generating an open, floating sound. The unresolved tension between the fourth G♭ and sixth B♭ creates a mystical, ethereal quality, often used to add color and movement in jazz and ambient music. With A♭ in the bass, this voicing functions as the 2nd inversion of D♭6 suspended 4th.

Also written as D♭6sus4.

Root note: D♭

Bass note: A♭

Chord tones: 4

Playable shapes: 22

Chord tones

D♭G♭A♭B♭

Common guitar voicings

These are quick-start shapes for players who want the answer first and the deeper theory second.

Shape 1

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1 Place the 1st finger on the 2nd fret of the 1st string and 2nd string in barre position.
2 Place the 2nd finger on the 3rd fret of the 3rd string.
3 Place the 3rd finger on the 4th fret of the 4th string, 5th string, and 6th string in barre position.
4 Strum from the 6th string down.

Shape 2

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1 Place the 1st finger on the 6th fret of the 1st string, 3rd string, and 4th string in barre position.
2 Place the 2nd finger on the 7th fret of the 2nd string.
3 Strum from the 4th string down.

Notes & Intervals

Each note below shows how the chord is built from its root. This is the theory layer underneath the fretboard shapes.

D♭ Unison (Root) 1

The root anchors the chord and defines its tonal center.

G♭ Perfect Fourth 4

The fourth creates suspension and a sense of pull toward resolution.

A♭ Perfect Fifth 5

The fifth reinforces stability and gives the chord its strong harmonic frame.

B♭ Major Sixth 6

The sixth adds warmth and a slightly more relaxed extended color.

Quick answers

What notes are in D♭6sus4/A♭?

D♭6sus4/A♭ uses the notes D♭, G♭, A♭, and B♭. Its interval formula is 1-4-5-6.

What is another name for D♭6sus4/A♭?

D♭6sus4/A♭ is also written as D♭6sus4.

How do you play D♭6sus4/A♭ on guitar?

Place the 1st finger on the 2nd fret of the 1st string and 2nd string in barre position. Place the 2nd finger on the 3rd fret of the 3rd string. Place the 3rd finger on the 4th fret of the 4th string, 5th string, and 6th string in barre position. Strum from the 6th string down.

Articles that reference this chord and explain how to use it in your playing.

Article Mar 4, 2025