D Ukulele Chord
D on ukulele is 2-2-2-0: put your index finger on the 2nd fret of the g string, your middle finger on the 2nd fret of the C string, your ring finger on the 2nd fret of the E string and leave the A string open. It is a three-finger shape, a little fiddly at first but it settles fast.
- Notes: D, Gb and A
- Frets: 2 2 2 0
- Tuning: g C E A
D ukulele chord details
- Type
- Major triad
- Also known as
- D major
- Formula
- 1 3 5
- Intervals
- D (root), Gb (major 3rd), A (perfect 5th)
- Notes
- D, Gb and A
- Frets
- 2 2 2 0
- Difficulty
- Medium
- Tuning
- Standard (g C E A)
How to play the D chord
Here is the D chord step by step:
- Put your index finger on the 2nd fret of the g string.
- Put your middle finger on the 2nd fret of the C string.
- Put your ring finger on the 2nd fret of the E string.
- Leave the A string open.
- Strum all four strings.
Take it slowly the first few times and it will start to feel natural. New to these grids? Have a look at how to read a ukulele chord diagram.
Is there an easier way to play D?
Yes: play it as x-2-2-0. Barre the 2nd fret across the C and E strings with your index finger, leave the A string open and skip the g string. It uses one finger instead of three. You give up the g string, but every note of the chord is still there, so it works in any song. Use it while the main shape is still settling, then go back to the full voicing for the bigger sound.
What notes are in the D chord?
The D chord is built from three notes: D, Gb and A (the root, major 3rd and perfect 5th). On the ukulele the A is doubled, so you get a nice full sound. Major chords are the bright, happy ones, which is why so many singalong songs are built on them. Curious which chords sit together in a song? See which chords share a key.
Ukulele songs that use the D chord
- Israel Kamakawiwo'oleSomewhere Over The Rainbow / What A Wonderful World
- Cristin MiliotiLa Vie En Rose
- Plain White T'sHey There Delilah
- Billie Eilishidontwannabeyouanymore
- PassengerLet Her Go
- Ed SheeranThinking Out Loud
- Twenty One PilotsWe Don’t Believe What’s On TV
- HozierTake Me To Church
- Ed SheeranThe A Team
- The BeatlesHere Comes The Sun
The D chord belongs to G Major (the V), D Major (the I), A Major (the IV), E Minor (the VII), B Minor (the III) and F♯ Minor (the VI). Each key page shows the rest of that family, the progressions that use it and songs to play.
Want to go further?
Once D feels comfortable, its close relatives are worth exploring: try D7, Dmaj7, Dm and Dsus4. D pairs most often with G, A and Bm, so the few basic chords next to it go a long way. When that feels good, work on switching between chords faster. When you are ready, try some easy ukulele songs.