D major · Ukulele
D Chord on Ukulele
The D chord (D major) is built from the notes D, F# and A. The ukulele fingering for it is shown below.
Chord diagrams
Fingering
- string 4 (G): fret 2 — index finger
- string 3 (C): fret 2 — index finger
- string 2 (E): fret 2 — index finger
- string 1 (A): fret 5 — little finger
Notes in this chord
- D
- F♯
- A
Degrees: 1 – 3 – 5
How to play
Every ukulele shape for D needs a barre, and the lowest one starts at fret 2. Keep the index finger straight and as close to the fret wire as possible, and let the wrist rather than the thumb supply the pressure.
Theory behind the chord
Major chords sound bright and settled. They are built from a root, a major third and a perfect fifth, and they carry most of the resolution points in pop, rock and folk. On D this structure sits on the root D, so the degrees 1 – 3 – 5 map onto D, F# and A. D is the I chord in the key of D major, the V chord in A major and the IV chord in G major. Its relative minor is Bm, which shares the same set of notes. The most common progression it appears in is D – Bm – G – A.
Frequently asked questions
- Which notes are in the D chord?
- D contains the notes D, F# and A. Relative to the root these are the degrees 1 – 3 – 5.
- How many ways can you play D?
- Minory lists a single ukulele fingering for D, and it is a barre shape.
- Is the D chord hard to play?
- D requires a barre, so it can feel demanding at first. Keeping the index finger straight and pressing from the wrist rather than the thumb makes it noticeably easier.
Practise D on your phone
Minory bundles the full chord library with a tuner, metronome and repertoire notebook — and it all works offline.
