Introduction to the D chord on guitar
Learning to play the D chord on guitar is a common first step in a guitarist’s journey. This lesson will help you learn it with ease.
It’s 1 of the 5 foundational open major guitar chords, the other 4 chords being C,A,G, and E.
How to play the open D chord on guitar
The most commonly seen version of the D chord on guitar is the 3 finger, open position shape. This is called the “D shape”.
Here’s how to play the D chord, step-by-step:
- Place your middle finger on fret 2 of the high E string
- Place your ring finger on fret 3 of the B string
- Place your index finger on fret 2 of the G string
- Strum all strings starting from the D string. Make sure you don’t play the low E string or A string.
Step 1
Step 2
Step 3
Don’t know how to read chord charts? Learn here.
Don’t know the guitar string names and order? Learn here.
Understanding the D chord on guitar
Notes in the D chord
The notes in the D major chord are D,F#, and A.
D chord intervals
| D | F# | A |
| 1 (root) | 3 (third) | 5 (fifth) |
Learn about intervals from pudgetsound.
What’s next?
Now that you’ve learned the D chord on guitar you can move onto new things!
Here are some recommended lessons.
Guitar Chords In The Key Of D Major
Learn The Notes on The Guitar Neck (Step-by-Step Guide)
