D Chord
The D is a major chord that sounds bright, happy, and resolved. Major chords are the backbone of countless songs. Their bright, stable sound makes them perfect for strumming, picking, and rhythm playing across every genre.
Open Position
Chord Diagrams
Open Position
No barre required
Barre Shape — Fret 5
Uses a barre chord technique
How to Play D
Follow these steps for the open position fingering:
| # | String | Instruction | Note |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Low E (6th string) | ✕Mute — do not play this string | – |
| 2 | A (5th string) | ✕Mute — do not play this string | – |
| 3 | D (4th string) | ○Open — play the open string | A |
| 4 | G (3rd string) | ●Fret 2 with your index finger | D |
| 5 | B (2nd string) | ●Fret 3 with your ring finger | F# |
| 6 | High E (1st string) | ●Fret 2 with your middle finger | A |
○ = Open string (no fingers needed)
✕ = Muted string (don't play)
● = Press your finger down firmly just behind the fret
Notes in D
The D chord is built from 3 distinct notes, each serving a harmonic role:
Songs Using D
These songs from our play-along library feature the D chord:
Knockin' on Heaven's Door
Bob Dylan
A Horse with No Name
America
Wonderwall
Oasis
Stand By Me
Ben E. King
Hey Joe
Jimi Hendrix
Wish You Were Here
Pink Floyd
Three Little Birds
Bob Marley
Brown Eyed Girl
Van Morrison
Love Me Do
The Beatles
Take Me Home, Country Roads
John Denver
Heart of Gold
Neil Young
Sweet Home Alabama
Lynyrd Skynyrd
With or Without You
U2
Yesterday
The Beatles
Hotel California
Eagles
House of the Rising Sun
The Animals
Blowin' in the Wind
Bob Dylan
Nothing Else Matters
Metallica
Good Riddance (Time of Your Life)
Green Day
I'm Yours
Jason Mraz
Wild Thing
The Troggs
Banana Pancakes
Jack Johnson
What I Got
Sublime
Ring of Fire
Johnny Cash
You Are My Sunshine
Jimmie Davis
Wagon Wheel
Darius Rucker
Thinking Out Loud
Ed Sheeran
Perfect
Ed Sheeran
Blackbird
The Beatles
Here Comes the Sun
The Beatles
Norwegian Wood (This Bird Has Flown)
The Beatles
Tears in Heaven
Eric Clapton
Wonderful Tonight
Eric Clapton
Fast Car
Tracy Chapman
Redemption Song
Bob Marley
More Than Words
Extreme
Dust in the Wind
Kansas
Africa
Toto
Tenerife Sea
Ed Sheeran
Under the Bridge
Red Hot Chili Peppers
Come As You Are
Nirvana
Enter Sandman
Metallica
Welcome to the Black Parade
My Chemical Romance
Other D Chords
Explore other chord types built on the same root note:
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