In the last lesson we learned how to change from the C Chord to the G Chord. This time we will talk about the D Chord and how to play it on the banjo.

As we did with the C Chord, the D Chord will be explained one finger and one string at a time. Start by placing your index finger (I) on the third string - second fret. Your middle finger (M) is next, on the second string - third fret. Your pinky (P) or little finger is last and is on the first string - fourth fret.

Now that you have all of your fingers in place on your banjo, strum the chord one string at a time and let the strings ring. If all of the strings don’t ring clearly, go back and check to make sure that you are forming the chord cleanly and not touching adjacent strings. In this chord we have an open string, the fourth string, which is the note D. Try the strum again and play all four strings.

Hear a D Chord:

For your reference, here is a diagram of the D Chord:

D Chord for banjo

Of course this chord will need to be practiced until it can be played without hesitation, just as we did with the C Chord.

Three notes make up the D Chord - D, F# and A. The fourth string is a open and is a D; the third string is an A; the second string is an D and the first string is an F#. The fifth string is not played with the D Chord on a banjo.

Now that you are comfortable with the D Chord, let’s change from the chords D to G. Start by forming a D Chord - strum it four times- now change to a G Chord and strum it four times.

Listen to this one right here:

Using the same method as the previous lesson - count One Two Three Four as you play each chord, keep playing this exercise until you can move from chord to chord without hesitation.

What You Should Know.

  • D, F# and A are the notes of a D Chord.
  • You can change from D to G with ease.

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