D 5-string bass chord

How to play D on 5-string bass

The most common way, the first shape above: your ring finger on the B string at the 3rd fret, your index finger on the E string at the 2nd fret and your middle finger on the G string at the 2nd fret. Let the A and D strings ring open.

From the B string 3 2 0 0 2 (x: not played, 0: open)

What notes are in D?

D, D major, is D, F♯ and A: the root (D), the major third (F♯) and the perfect fifth (A). Its formula is 1 3 5.

What is the difference between D and Dm?

One note. D has the major third, F♯; Dm lowers it a half step to F. That one note turns the bright sound of a major chord into the darker sound of a minor one.

Can I play D5 instead?

D5, the power chord, is D and A with no third, so it is neither major nor minor. It stands in for D in rock, especially with distortion, where a full chord can sound muddy.

Keys with D

D is the I chord in D major, the V chord in G major, the IV chord in A major, the VII chord in E minor, the VI chord in F♯ minor and the III chord in B minor, and the V of G minor, the major fifth chord from its harmonic minor scale.