D Guitar Chord: 2 Easy Ways to Play It and More

The D chord is comprised of the notes D, F#, and A

In terms of intervals, it has a root, a major 3rd, and a perfect 5th

It can also be named or notated as D, DΔ, DM, Dmaj or D major.

If you are just starting out on guitar or need a refresher on this chord, stick around.

In this article, I will show you the easiest ways of playing this chord on guitar, and give you some tips and tricks to make it work out as it should.

After leaving this page you will have learned the must-know shapes of this triad, and also a lot about how it works in context with other chords.

Hey, I will even give you a fretboard diagram so you can work out your own voicing!

Let’s get to it.

Basic shape

D Basic

The secret to playing the D chord is learning how much force you have to apply to the strings for them to ring properly without getting tired or making your fingers hurt.

This is one of the easiest open chords to play on the guitar, however, take your time and try to get a good sound out of it.

It is a great starting point to build finger stamina and dexterity.

Here are some tips for getting it sounding right:

  • Fret with the tip of your fingers
  • Press the strings near the fret wire
  • Learn how much pressure is the minimum required
  • Have the thumb from your fretting hand at the middle or lower back part of the neck
  • Arch your fingers
  • If it hurts, take a break!

2 easy ways of playing the D chord

D Easy
D Easy

Although the basic version of this chord is one of the easiest you will find, having alternatives is always good.

Try them out to get your fingers prepared for the harder challenges ahead.

Open voicings of the D chord

Here are some alternative ways of playing this chord actively using open strings.

If you want alternative sounds for this classic chord, I encourage you to try them out!

These also use some open strings, so these shapes are not movable across the fretboard.

D Open
D Open

Moveable voicings of the D chord

Apart from the basic shape, here are other movable voicings for the D chord.

As their name implies, these moveable voicings can be shifted along the neck getting you different chords of the same quality.

The root note of the chord, for these voicings, as you can see,  is defined by the lowest note played.

D Movable
D Movable

The last one with the barre is a very common shape you will probably end up using a lot through your guitar journey.

To make it sound right, again, focus mainly on fretting properly the 5th and 1st strings since the ones in between are taken care of by your other fingers.

D chord fretboard map

D Fretboard Map

You can use this fretboard map to come up with your own chord voicings.

Just remember that you will need at least one of each chord note for it to be outlined properly.

Songs to practice the D chord

Snow Patrol – Chasing Cars

Hanson – Mmbop

Bob Dylan – Knockin’ on Heaven’s Door

Scales and modes that have the D chord, and their chords

The following scales and modes have this chord inside them.

This means that it will “fit” among their other chords, however, given the context, the feeling that it gives will be shifted.

In some of these scales it will sound like a resting point, and in others more like a tension agent.

D major scale chords, D is I

IiiiiiIVVviviiº
DEmF#mGABmC#dim

C Lydian scale chords, D is II

IIIiiiivºVvivii
CDEmF#dimGAmBm

B minor scale chords, D is III

iiiºIIIivvVIVII
BmC#dimDEmF#mGA

A major scale chords, D is IV

IiiiiiIVVviviiº
ABmC#mDEF#mG#dim

G major scale chords, D is V

IiiiiiIVVviviiº
GAmBmCDEmF#dim

F# minor scale chords, D is VI

iiiºIIIivvVIVII
F#mG#dimABmC#mDE

E minor scale chords, D is VII

iiiºIIIivvVIVII
EmF#dimGAmBmCD

Inversions of the D chord

The inversions of a chord are just a different order for the notes that comprise them.

They are notated with a / before the indication of the note that should be used as the bass.

Triad chords have, naturally 2 inversions.

D inversions are:

  • D/F#
  • D/A

Extensions of the D chord

Extensions are extra notes you can add to the chord to spice it up.

To know exactly which notes you can use you will have to check the key and scale you are playing in.

Some of the most common extensions of the D chord are:

  • D6
  • Dmaj7
  • D7
  • D9
  • D11