The D chord on guitar is one of the most common chords you will play. You will need to know this chord to play the guitar.
In this Post you will learn:
- How to play the D chord on Guitar Properly.
- The easiest D guitar chord for a beginner guitarist.
- Three different ways to play theD chord on the guitar.
- Find out what notes are in the D chord.
- Bonus Video
Learn the Proper Way to Play the D Chord on Guitar
The D chord is a generic name for the D Major chord. Here is what it looks like on the chord diagram.
Go here; If you need to learn about how to read a chord chart.
This D chord on guitar may only be three fingers, but as a beginner guitar player it may be a little hard to play; because of the finger position. Notice on the chord chart the X’s they are there to let you know don’t play those strings.
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How to Make this D Chord Easier to Play
Because your fingers are split apart the D chord on guitar may seem difficult. Instead of playing the chord like on the A Major chord where you play with your fingers together. Your fingers are split apart, and it may at first be foreign and uncomfortable.
It may take you a lot off practice to get this D guitar chord under your fingers so that you can play it properly. But your in luck while your learning this chord there are some easier ways to play the D chord on guitar.
How to Master the D chord on guitar
If you are having trouble with the chord try the Dsus2 chord which is an easier chord to play on your way to play the D chord on guitar. This is how the Dsus2 chord looks:
This is an easier version of he D chord, and an easier way to play. You use two fingers. You can play the Dsus2 anytime you see the D chord on guitar. But don’t forget to practice learning the D chord too.
How to Play the Dsus2 chord
When playing the Dsus2 chord its best to play it using your 1st and 3rd finger on strings 3 and 2. The G and B string. Then after you have practiced the D chord on guitar it will be easier to step over from playing the Dsus2, and start playing the complete version of the D chord.
Learn beginner chords, that every guitarist had to learn to play the guitar. Click this link to get first position chord diagrams.
What are the notes in the D Chord on Guitar?
The D guitar chord is a D Major chord. To make a Major chord you need to have a 1 or Root note, a 3rd and a 5th of the Major Scale in the key of D. This would be a D note which is the Root of the chord. Then the 3rd note of the scale is F Sharp (F#). Then the fifth note of the scale is an A. Click the link tolearn the notes on the guitar.
What Strings to Pick for the D chords on Guitar?
Whether your playing a D chord on guitar, a Dm or a Dsus2 you should only ever play the first four strings. Meaning strings 1-4, which on a guitar the 1 string is the thinnest string at the bottom of the guitar neck. The 4th string is the Root string. The D string. So you start the strum there, or pick it.
How to strum the D guitar chord
Like all things on guitar you want to start out slow. It is better to get it right and not to hit the wrong strings, than to hit them and sound bad. After you get your fingers in position on the first 3 strings.
- Make sure your playing on the tips of your fingers.
- start by plucking one string at a time to make sure all notes are ringing out. (if strings are buzzing or dead, make adjustments, then try again).
- start the strum from the 4th string.
- Once it sounds good (all strings ringing out) Then try strumming all the string. (4-1)
Click the link if you want to learn a song with a D chord on guitar.
The Next D Chord on Guitar is the D 5th String Root Chord
The 5th string root chord is another difficult chord because you have to barre from the 5th string down. But once you learn how to play this chord it is a nice sounding chord. See how its played below:
Here is where to place your fingers.
- First put your 1st finger across the strings at the 5th fret. From the 5th string down.
- Next place your 3rd finger on strings 4, 3, 2 barre them.
- Strum from the 5th string down.
If you have problems with barre chords, this is normal for beginner guitar players as your fingers and hands have not built up the strength needed to push down all the strings. Click the link here to learn a finger strengthening technique.
D Chord on Guitar Barre Chord Shape
Another widely used chord is the Barre chord. Even though this is a tough chord to learn to play. With practice you will be able to over come the barre chord. See how to make it:
This is where to position your fingers to make the D Barre chord.
- Using your 1st finger Barre all the strings at the 10th fret.
- Next put your 2nd finger on the 3rd string, at the 11th fret.
- Put your 3rd finger on the 5th string, at the 12th fret. Where the double dots are on the guitar fingerboard.
- Directly under your 3rd finger, place your 4th finger on the 4th string 12th fret.
- strum all strings.
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D Chord on Guitar Finger position
- Put your 1st finger on the 3rd string, at the 2nd fret
- Next put your 2nd finger on the 1st string, at the 2nd fret.
- Then put your 3rd finger on the 2nd string, at the 3rd fret.
- Strum from the 4th string down. Remember not to play the 5th and 6th strings.
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