D Suspended Fourth Flat Ninth Guitar Arpeggio
Guitar arpeggio in Open A tuning — fretboard diagram
D Suspended Fourth Flat Ninth in Open A — Notes and Intervals
Notes: D, G, A, C, Eb
Intervals: 1P, 4P, 5P, 7m, 9m
Formula: 5-W-WH-WH
Number of notes: 5
Tuning: Open A (E-A-E-A-C#-E)
Also known as: b9sus, phryg, 7b9sus, 7b9sus4
The D Suspended Fourth Flat Ninth arpeggio contains 5 notes (D, G, A, C, Eb). Use the interactive fretboard above to explore this arpeggio on 6-string guitar — Open A with different tunings and fret ranges.
About Open A Tuning
Open A tuning (E-A-E-A-C#-E) produces an A major chord when strummed open. It is structurally identical to Open G tuned up one whole step, delivering a brighter, more tense sound that works particularly well for slide guitar centered on the key of A.
Jimmy Page used Open A with a slide on Led Zeppelin's 'In My Time of Dying' from Physical Graffiti (1975). Rory Gallagher also employed Open A for his raw, energetic slide work. Many players achieve Open A by simply placing a capo at the 2nd fret in Open G tuning, which is why dedicated Open A usage is less commonly discussed. However, without a capo, Open A gives direct access to the open A string resonance and a different feel under the fingers due to the higher tension.
Notable artists: Jimmy Page, Rory Gallagher, Delta blues players
Best for: Slide guitar in the key of A, blues playing, and situations where you need the brightness of Open G tuned up without a capo
Explore This Arpeggio in Other Tunings
- D Suspended Fourth Flat Ninth in Standard Tuning
- D Suspended Fourth Flat Ninth in Drop D
- D Suspended Fourth Flat Ninth in DADGAD
- D Suspended Fourth Flat Ninth in Open G
- D Suspended Fourth Flat Ninth in Baritone (B Standard)
- D Suspended Fourth Flat Ninth in 7-string
- D Suspended Fourth Flat Ninth in 8-string
- D Suspended Fourth Flat Ninth in Drop C
- D Suspended Fourth Flat Ninth in Drop B
- D Suspended Fourth Flat Ninth in Open D
- D Suspended Fourth Flat Ninth in Half Step Down
- D Suspended Fourth Flat Ninth in Open E
- D Suspended Fourth Flat Ninth in Double Drop D
- D Suspended Fourth Flat Ninth in Open C