D guitar chord
The D major chord: every way to play it on the neck, the notes in it, and the scales that sound good over it.
What's in D
- Notes
- D – F# – A
- Formula
- 1 – 3 – 5
- Name
- D major
DD · F# · A
5 ways to play it · Tuning E A D G B E
- Open
- C shape · 2nd fret
- A shape · 5th fret
- G shape · 7th fret
- E shape · 10th fret
What to play over D
Start with the chord's own notes — D, F#, A — and land on them on the strong beats. Then reach for a scale; which one depends on the chord's job in the song.
- D major pentatonic scale
The safe start: the chord’s own three notes plus the 2 and the 6, nothing that clashes.
- D major scale
The full major scale, when the chord is the song’s home chord (I).
- D Lydian mode
A brighter, floating sound with the ♯4 — when the chord is a IV.
- D Mixolydian mode
The ♭7 gives it a bluesy, rock edge — when the chord is a V.
Questions
What notes are in a D chord?
D has 3 notes: D, F#, A. Counted from the root, its formula is 1 – 3 – 5.
What scale goes with D?
D major pentatonic scale is the place to start. The safe start: the chord’s own three notes plus the 2 and the 6, nothing that clashes.