Your Fifth Chord: D
Intermediate7 minC, G, D and switching between them
D crowds three fingers together — just remember to play only the four thin strings.
Video lessons are in production — follow the notes and practice checklist below and you'll learn it just fine.
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How to fret D
Index finger on the 2nd fret of the 3rd string, middle finger on the 2nd fret of the 1st string, ring finger on the 3rd fret of the 2nd string. The 4th string is open; don't play the thick 6th and 5th strings — start picking from the 4th.
The three fingers gather into a little triangle. Watch that your right hand doesn't brush the 6th and 5th strings.
⚠️ Common mistakes
- Your right hand brushes the 6th and 5th strings (D plays only the four thin strings).
- The three crowded fingers bump into each other and mute a string — stand the fingertips up and give them a little space.
Chords in this lesson
Tap the 🔊 under each diagram to match every chord's sound to its shape.
Go play these
Songs that fit this lesson's technique and chords — pick one and practice in the library:
- The Four-Chord Jam: G–D–Em–C · Original exerciseG · D · Em · C
- Ode to Joy · Beethoven (public domain)G · D
- Twinkle Twinkle Little Star · French traditional melody (public domain)G · C · D
- Oh! Susanna · Stephen Foster (1848, public domain)G · C · D
- Knockin’ on Heaven’s Door · Bob DylanG · D · Am · C
- Auld Lang Syne · Scottish folk song (public domain)G · C · D
Practice checklist
- Hold D and pick from the 4th string to the 1st (skipping the 6th and 5th).
- Release and re-fret D; repeat 10 times.