transpose.siteD chord (D major)
The D chord is a major chord built on D. A major triad: the root with a major third and a perfect fifth on top. It sounds bright and settled, which is why it opens and closes so many songs.
D guitar chord
Common shape
Barre, root on 5th string (fret 5)
The left vertical line is the 6th (thickest) string. Numbers in dots are fingers (1 index · 2 middle · 3 ring · 4 little), × means don't play that string and ○ means open.
Play it the easy way with a capo
- Capo on fret 2 + C shape
- Capo on fret 5 + A shape
- Capo on fret 7 + G shape
With a capo on for the whole song, every other chord moves by the same number of frets.
D chord notes
| Degree | 1 (root) | 3 (major 3rd) | 5 (perfect 5th) |
|---|---|---|---|
| Note | D | F♯ | A |
D piano chord
On piano, press these 3 notes together. Bass players usually play the root, D.
Keys that use D
- D major: I
- G major: V
- A major: IV
- E minor: VII
- F♯ minor: VI
- B minor: III
Progressions in D major
- D – A – Bm – G (I – V – vi – IV, the most common pop progression)
- D – Bm – G – A (I – vi – IV – V, the '50s progression, ballads)
Transposing D
One half step up, D becomes E♭; one half step down, C♯. To change the key of a whole PDF score, open it in the free PDF transposer.