About the D major chord
The major chord is the brightest and most common chord there is. It is built from the root, a major third and a perfect fifth, and most songs in a major key start and finish on it.
How to play D
- Lay your index finger flat across the top 3 strings at fret 2, pressing just behind the fret.
- Put your middle finger on the B string at fret 3.
- Strum and let the D string ring open, and don't play the low E and A strings.
1 index · 2 middle · 3 ring · 4 little
Chords in the key of D major
These are the chords built on each note of the D major scale, so they all sound good together with D. The Roman numeral under each one is its position in the key.
Other D chords
D chord questions
What notes are in a D major chord?
D major is made of D, F♯ and A. In intervals that is 1, 3, 5 above the root, D.
What is the easiest way to play D?
The first shape above is the most common one: x x 0 2 3 2 from the low E string to the high E, where x means don't play that string and 0 means play it open. Start there, and try the other shapes once it feels comfortable.
Is D a barre chord?
The main shape uses a barre, where one finger holds down several strings at once. Press just behind the fret and roll the finger slightly onto its side.