D Guitar Chord
D is a major chord. Major chords sound bright and stable, the most basic chord sound there is. Its notes are D, F# and A. Below are 3 ways to play it, each with a chord diagram, tab and finger numbers.
Notes in D
| Note | Degree | Interval |
|---|---|---|
| D | R | Root |
| F# | 3 | Major 3rd |
| A | 5 | Perfect 5th |
Formula: 1–3–5
D chord shapes
Finger numbers: 1 index, 2 middle, 3 ring, 4 pinky. In the tab, x means don't play that string and 0 means play it open. In the diagrams the top line is the 1st (thinnest) string and the nut is on the left.
Open
Easiest- Tab (6th → 1st string)
- x x 0 2 3 2
- Fingers
- – – – 1 3 2
A-shape 5fr
- Tab (6th → 1st string)
- x 5 7 7 7 5
- Fingers
- – 1 3 3 3 1
E-shape 10fr
- Tab (6th → 1st string)
- 10 12 12 11 10 10
- Fingers
- 1 3 4 2 1 1
How to play D (easiest shape)
Shape: Open, tab x x 0 2 3 2 (6th to 1st string).
- 1Put your index finger (1) on the 3rd string at the 2nd fret.
- 2Put your middle finger (2) on the 1st string at the 2nd fret.
- 3Put your ring finger (3) on the 2nd string at the 3rd fret.
- 4Let the 4th string ring open.
- 5Don't play the 6th and 5th strings.
- 6Strum down from the 4th string to the 1st string.
D: common questions
- What notes are in the D chord?
- D has 3 notes: D, F# and A. Counted from the root, that is 1–3–5.
- Is there an easier way to play D?
- The easiest shape on this page is "Open" (x x 0 2 3 2). It needs no barre: each finger presses just one string.
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See all 231 chords in the chord library, find a scale to play over them, or tune up before you start.