D Major Triads on Guitar: Every Inversion on Every String Set

A D major triad is D, F♯ and A (1 3 5). It has three arrangements, root position, first inversion and second inversion, and each can be played on four groups of three strings: all twelve shapes are below.

Keys

CAGED Chords — D

2C shape
5A shape
7G shape
10E shape
12D shape

Triads — D

Root position

2C shape
5A shape
7G shape
10E shape

The notes of D

D major is a major third (four frets) with a minor third (three frets) on top. Root position puts D at the bottom (D, F♯ and A); first inversion puts F♯ at the bottom (F♯, A and D); second inversion puts A at the bottom (A, D and F♯).

D on every string set

On the low E, A and D strings: root position at frets 7–10, first inversion at frets 0–2 and second inversion at frets 4–5.

D triad, root position, on the low E, A and D strings: D (root) on the low E string, fret 10; F sharp on the A string, fret 9; A on the D string, fret 7.
Root position
D triad, first inversion, on the low E, A and D strings: F sharp on the low E string, fret 2; A on the A string, fret 0; D (root) on the D string, fret 0.
First inversion
D triad, second inversion, on the low E, A and D strings: A on the low E string, fret 5; D (root) on the A string, fret 5; F sharp on the D string, fret 4.
Second inversion

On the A, D and G strings: root position at frets 2–5, first inversion at frets 7–9 and second inversion at frets 0–11.

D triad, root position, on the A, D and G strings: D (root) on the A string, fret 5; F sharp on the D string, fret 4; A on the G string, fret 2.
Root position
D triad, first inversion, on the A, D and G strings: F sharp on the A string, fret 9; A on the D string, fret 7; D (root) on the G string, fret 7.
First inversion
D triad, second inversion, on the A, D and G strings: A on the A string, fret 0; D (root) on the D string, fret 0; F sharp on the G string, fret 11.
Second inversion

On the D, G and B strings: root position at frets 0–11, first inversion at frets 2–4 and second inversion at fret 7.

D triad, root position, on the D, G and B strings: D (root) on the D string, fret 0; F sharp on the G string, fret 11; A on the B string, fret 10.
Root position
D triad, first inversion, on the D, G and B strings: F sharp on the D string, fret 4; A on the G string, fret 2; D (root) on the B string, fret 3.
First inversion
D triad, second inversion, on the D, G and B strings: A on the D string, fret 7; D (root) on the G string, fret 7; F sharp on the B string, fret 7.
Second inversion

On the G, B and high e strings: root position at frets 5–7, first inversion at frets 10–11 and second inversion at frets 2–3.

D triad, root position, on the G, B and high e strings: D (root) on the G string, fret 7; F sharp on the B string, fret 7; A on the high e string, fret 5.
Root position
D triad, first inversion, on the G, B and high e strings: F sharp on the G string, fret 11; A on the B string, fret 10; D (root) on the high e string, fret 10.
First inversion
D triad, second inversion, on the G, B and high e strings: A on the G string, fret 2; D (root) on the B string, fret 3; F sharp on the high e string, fret 2.
Second inversion

Where the inversions sit in the CAGED shapes

The practice pad above shows D's triads inside each CAGED shape. Use the R, 2, 3 and V switches to see each arrangement:

  • Root position: C shape (fret 2), A shape (fret 5), G shape (fret 7) and E shape (fret 10).
  • First inversion: C shape (fret 2), G shape (fret 7) and E shape (fret 10).
  • Second inversion: C shape (fret 2), A shape (fret 7) and E shape (fret 11).

Where D appears

D belongs to 8 keys: I in D major, V in G major and IV in A major; VII in E minor, VI in F♯ minor and III in B minor; VI in F♯ harmonic minor and V in G harmonic minor.

Of those, D major, G major, A major and E minor are keys guitarists play in constantly, because their open strings ring with the scale, so D turns up often in songs.

Open strings and capo options for D

Two open strings are part of D: the A string (the fifth) and the D string (root). Because the root is among them, you can let it drone under any of the shapes.

There's an open D chord at the nut: the D shape.

With a capo you can also play it as the C shape with the capo at fret 2, the A shape with the capo at fret 5 and the G shape with the capo at fret 7.

The closest chords to D share two of its three notes: its relative minor and the chords a fourth and a fifth away, which are its neighbours in D major.

D triad FAQs

What notes are in a D major triad?

D, F♯ and A. The formula is 1 3 5.

What is the first inversion of D?

F♯, A and D, with F♯ in the bass. On the G, B and high e strings it sits at fret 11, fret 10 and fret 10.

How many D triad shapes are there?

Twelve to learn: root position and two inversions on each of the four three-string sets. They repeat twelve frets higher.

Learn more

How to use guitar triads explains inversions and how to use them in rhythm parts and solos, and triads on all string sets goes through each set in turn. The triad library has every chord.