D is one of the most frequently-used major chords and works particularly well when followed by an A chord in sequences.
To play this D, place your first finger at the 10th fret and bar across all five strings (1-5). Do not strum the 6th string.
This D shape chord, also known as a Dsus2, can be used before or after any parallel major or minor chord to add another note of sound to an accompanimental sequence.
Scale
D chord is one of the first chords many guitarists learn. Additionally, this key can often be heard in popular music from Jimi Hendrix’s Hey Joe to Adele’s Rolling In The Deep.
The D major scale consists of an D at its root and another D, one octave higher, at its zenith. All other notes except those from third and seventh are whole tones.
Build chords from any scale simply by stacking its notes into triads, which can then be added together to form chords – D major scale guitar chords being no exception!
To learn the open position D chord, start with your middle finger on the second fret of an A string (creating a staggered shape). Move this two frets up for inline playing then two more up to reach fifth fret – repeat this process on all four strings until they become natural chords. It takes practice but will come with time!
Open Position
Open D major chord is one of the first basic guitar chords that beginners learn. Though initially it may be tricky, with practice this chord will become much simpler to play quickly and smoothly.
This chord consists of the first, third and fifth notes from the D major scale. It is commonly found in many musical compositions and makes an interesting combination when played alongside other open chords.
Note that an open D chord utilizes all five fingers of your fretting hand. If this is unfamiliar to you, try muzzling the lower D string with your thumb to help alleviate finger discomfort.
Another variation on this chord involves adding a G (on the second string) and fingering it as [o23o], creating a darker sound which is often found in more melancholic music. You could also try fingering it using your index finger rather than your third to achieve lighter sound; however this requires more movement of fingers and is therefore less stable.
Barre Position
Barre chords require considerable fretting power and can be challenging to play when starting out, so the best way to become familiar with them is through daily practice of 15-20 minutes for two weeks.
Began with all six strings barring together at the 10th fret on E string starting from 10th fret starting to create a D major barre chord, often used in classic rock songs like Bryan Adams’ Summer of 69 and Lynyrd Skynyrds Sweet Home Alabama.
Use the D major barre chord shape by moving your first finger from the string to the 2nd fret of the 5th string, mutes the low E string, strums it with middle and ring fingers only and avoid strumming the 6th string to ensure a clean sounding chord. This chord can help you practice circle of fifths and barre positions on the fretboard.
Capo Position
The capo squeezes the strings tightly enough at one fret to alter the original pitch of a guitar’s original tuning, changing its pitch by an undetermined amount and providing access to different chord shapes that will work in this new key.
As an example, when using a capo on the second fret and strumming an open A chord with an open B chord capo attached, it will sound similar to playing B chord due to being an octave higher than its original tuning of your guitar. This allows you to easily play songs in keys that would otherwise be difficult with no capo present.
Placement of the capo on different frets also creates exciting sounds, for instance by placing it over 2-6 strings while leaving E open, it will produce partial capo tuning that creates chords with an altogether unique sound, providing new dimensions to songs as well as being useful when performing with shorter scale length instruments like mandolin and ukelele.