D Chord on Guitar
Notes D F♯ A. Start with open D (x x 0 2 3 2): index on string 3 fret 2, ring on string 2 fret 3, middle on string 1 fret 2; strum strings 4 to 1 only.
Chord · D major
Open D · x x 0 2 3 2
open strings
A-shape barre (fret 5) · x 5 7 7 7 5
barre, movable
E-shape barre (fret 10) · 10 12 12 11 10 10
barre, movable
1 D3 F♯5 A
- String 6 (low E): muted, do not play
- String 5 (A): muted, do not play
- String 4 (D): open
- String 3 (G): index (1), fret 2
- String 2 (B): ring (3), fret 3
- String 1 (high e): middle (2), fret 2
- Barre: index finger flat across strings 5 to 1 at fret 5
- String 6 (low E): muted, do not play
- String 5 (A): index (1), fret 5
- String 4 (D): ring (3), fret 7
- String 3 (G): ring (3), fret 7
- String 2 (B): ring (3), fret 7
- String 1 (high e): index (1), fret 5
- Barre: index finger flat across strings 6 to 1 at fret 10
- String 6 (low E): index (1), fret 10
- String 5 (A): ring (3), fret 12
- String 4 (D): pinky (4), fret 12
- String 3 (G): middle (2), fret 11
- String 2 (B): index (1), fret 10
- String 1 (high e): index (1), fret 10
Notes and formula
| Degree | Note | Interval from D |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | D | root |
| 3 | F♯ | major 3rd |
| 5 | A | perfect 5th |
Formula 1 3 5 (major).
Also written D major.
More on this chord type: Open (cowboy) chords
Capo shapes that sound as D
Open shapes you may already know, moved up with a capo.
C shape + capo 2
A shape + capo 5
G shape + capo 7
Need the capo fret for a whole song? Capo calculator: any song key, any shapes. New to the capo? How to use a capo.
Progressions with D
| Key · progression | Chords | Listen |
|---|---|---|
| D major I–IV–V–I | D – G – A – D | |
| D major I–V–vi–IV | D – A – Bm – G | |
| G major I–vi–IV–V | G – Em – C – D | |
| G major vi–IV–I–V | Em – C – G – D | |
| F♯ minor i–VI–III–VII | F♯m – D – A – E |
Keys that contain D
| Key | D is the |
|---|---|
| D major | I |
| G major | V |
| A major | IV |
| F♯ minor | VI |
| B minor | III |
| E minor | VII |
Minor keys here use the natural minor scale.
Playing D: what goes wrong
Only four strings
D is D, F♯, A. String 6 (E) is not a D-chord note, so it must stay silent. String 5 (A) is the 5th: it does not clash, but it makes the chord muddy, so the shape leaves it out too.
The triangle shape
The three fingertips make a small triangle pointing toward the body of the guitar. Keep the ring finger on string 2 on its tip; if it lies flat it mutes the high e.
Related chords
Learn and practise D
- Metronomepractise the change to D at 60 BPM
- How to read chord chartsstrings, frets, fingers, x and o
- Chord finder (chord namer)name any other shape you find
FAQ
What notes are in D?
D, F♯, A: the 1, 3, 5 of the D major chord.
Can you play the A string with a D chord?
You can: A is the 5th of D, so it fits, but it puts the 5th in the bass. Start the strum on string 4 so the open D, the root, is the lowest note.