D Chord on Guitar
D is the D major chord — 3 notes (D, F♯, A) built from the formula 1 3 5. Below are playable shapes across the fretboard, the keys it belongs to and the scales to use when soloing over it.
D: Chord shapes (open & barre)
- open position
- fret 2
- fret 5
- fret 7
- fret 10
- fret 12
D: Triad voicings (3 strings)
- bass: R
- bass: R
- bass: R
- bass: R
- bass: 3
- bass: 3
- bass: 3
- bass: 3
- bass: 5
- bass: 5
- bass: 5
- bass: 5
Keys that contain D
Scales to play over D
- D Major Scale
- D Lydian Mode
- D Major Pentatonic Scale
- D Mixolydian Mode
- D Major Blues Scale
- D Phrygian Dominant Scale
Ordered from the most common choice. All of them contain D, F♯, A.
Other D chords
Major chords in other keys
FAQ
- What notes are in the D chord?
- D (D major) contains D, F♯, A — formula 1 3 5.
- How do you play D on guitar?
- A common shape is xx0232 (low E to high E, x = muted string, open position). This page shows more shapes, drop 2, drop 3 and shell voicings in the interactive library.
- What scale goes with D?
- Good choices to solo over D: D Ionian (Major), D Lydian, D Major pentatonic.
- What key is D in?
- D is diatonic in D major (I), G major (V), A major (IV), E minor (♭VII), F♯ minor (♭VI), B minor (♭III).