About the D chord
To play D major, use the first shape above. Use your index finger to barre the 2nd fret across the G, C, and E strings. Leave the A string open. Strum all four strings and check that each one rings cleanly.
Root
D
Quality
Major
Notes
D · F# · A
How the D chord works
D
Root(1)
The home note. It gives the chord its name.
F#
Major third(3)
This note is what makes the chord major.
A
Perfect fifth(5)
Adds strength and stability.
Play in another way
The same chord can be played in different places on the fretboard. These are called voicings. They use the same notes, but the fingering and sound can feel a little different.
This chord goes well with
D is the home chord in the key of D major. These chords naturally belong together and are a good place to start when you want to play around D.