How to play D (D Major) on Ukulele
Diagram, notes, and audio for the D chord on ukulele. Free in your browser.
About D on ukulele
D major is the trickiest open chord for new ukulele players because three fingers must share the 2nd fret on the G, C, and E strings while the A string rings open. The notes are D, F#, A. Many uke teachers introduce a one-finger barre alternative — flat the index across the 2nd fret of the top three strings — because three-finger stacking on a small instrument can feel cramped.
D is the I chord in D major (two sharps: F# and C#) and the V in G major. On ukulele, D often pairs with G and A to form the three-chord trick of folk and country songs. Many sea shanties and traditional Hawaiian tunes also live in D, and the open A string ringing as part of the chord gives D major a brighter quality on the ukulele than on guitar.
Famous ukulele songs in D include Tiptoe Through the Tulips, traditional luau songs, and large parts of the Hawaiian beginner canon. Because the chord requires three fingers in close quarters, beginners sometimes substitute D7 (just two fingers, also covering D-F#-A-C) until their fretting hand strengthens. The two chords are interchangeable in most folk/uke contexts.
Frequently asked questions
- Why is D major hard on the ukulele?
- Three fingers must crowd onto the same fret of three adjacent strings. Beginners often barre with one finger or sub in D7 instead.
- Can I play D major with one finger?
- Yes — barre the 2nd fret across the G, C, and E strings with your index finger, leave the A string open. It sounds slightly different (the open A doubles the 5th) but works in most beginner contexts.
- What chords pair with D major on ukulele?
- G, A (or A7), and Bm — the IV, V, and vi of D major.
Switch instruments
See D on a different instrument — same chord, new diagram.