One way of playing a song in the key of D on the banjo is to place your capo on the 2nd fret and play the same chords you would use for the key of C. Let’s call these chords “C” type chords.

The 1, 4 and 5 chords in the key of C are C, F and G, so the common “C” type chords are a D Shape (C) an F Shape (F) and a Barre (open G).

I’ll explain the key of D using “C” type chords - capo on the 2nd fret. If you form a C chord with the capo in place it is actually a D, the F chord is a G and open is an A chord. By the way the 1,4 and 5 chords in the key of D are D, G and A.

So play as if you are in the key of C, using the “C” type chord shapes, C,F and G and you will be playing D, G and A.

Using a capo for the key of D allows you to use licks you have learned for the key of C. I like this way of playing in D because it has a different sound and I can use banjo licks I already know.

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