D — the D major guitar chord
D major is bright and chiming, built on just the top four strings, and with G and A it drives a huge share of the songbook. Strum from the open D string down, because the low strings turn it muddy. And keep the ring finger from brushing the high E, or the chord loses its sparkle.
How to play it
- Index finger on the G string (3rd), 2nd fret.
- Middle finger on the high E string (1st), 2nd fret.
- Ring finger on the B string (2nd), 3rd fret.
- Let the open D string (4th) ring.
- Don't strum the low E string (6th) and A string (5th). They stay silent in this shape.
Changes to practice
Holding D still is the easy part. Songs need you to arrive at it in rhythm, so in Strumhold you practice D as changes, alongside the rest of the Open Majors set: