D major chord on guitar
4 ways to play D, with finger positions and sound. Tap a diagram to hear it.
D
Major · D F♯ A (1 3 5)
4 ways to play it
Brown dots are the root note. Tap a diagram to hear it.
How to play D
The most common shape, the first one in the chord finder above:
- Put your index finger on string 3 at fret 2.
- Put your middle finger on string 1 at fret 2.
- Put your ring finger on string 2 at fret 3.
- Let string 4 ring open.
- Don't play strings 6, 5.
- Strum from string 4 down.
Notes in D
D is a major chord made of D, F♯, A. Its formula is 1 3 5: a root, a major third, and a perfect fifth.
- D1
- F♯3
- A5
D in a chord progression
In the key of D major, D is the I chord, home base. This progression, I–V–vi–IV, runs through countless pop songs:
Related chords
Learning a song with D?
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Turn a song into tabD chord FAQ
What notes are in the D chord?
D is made of D, F♯, A. As degrees of the scale: 1 3 5.
How many ways can you play D on guitar?
The chord finder above shows 4 shapes for D, from the open position up the neck. Pick the one closest to the chords before and after it.
What is the difference between D and Dm?
D has a major third, F♯. Dm lowers it a semitone to F, which gives the minor chord its darker sound. The other notes are the same.