How was the D chord constructed?
I'm a beginner trying to teach myself guitar, and I thought I understood how chords work but the D major chord just confuses the heck out of me.
From what I know, chords are built out of triads, and for D, that's D, F#, A.
So I can see that in the later part of the chord, when it goes from D to F#, and before it, when it's A, but I don't understand what's happening with the open D string. Why does it do directly from D to A when there's a whole F# there?
I don't know if I'm missing something or maybe if I need a break from all this, but help would be appreciated.
Thanks in advance!
guitar chords scales chord-theory acoustic-guitar
asked 2 hours ago
aroundthecoroneraroundthecoroner
61
New contributor
aroundthecoroner is a new contributor to this site. Take care in asking for clarification, commenting, and answering.
Check out our Code of Conduct.
add a comment |
I'm a beginner trying to teach myself guitar, and I thought I understood how chords work but the D major chord just confuses the heck out of me.
From what I know, chords are built out of triads, and for D, that's D, F#, A.
So I can see that in the later part of the chord, when it goes from D to F#, and before it, when it's A, but I don't understand what's happening with the open D string. Why does it do directly from D to A when there's a whole F# there?
I don't know if I'm missing something or maybe if I need a break from all this, but help would be appreciated.
Thanks in advance!
guitar chords scales chord-theory acoustic-guitar
asked 2 hours ago
aroundthecoroneraroundthecoroner
61
New contributor
aroundthecoroner is a new contributor to this site. Take care in asking for clarification, commenting, and answering.
Check out our Code of Conduct.
Hi, could you explain or clarify what you mean by "later part of the chord"? Are you referring to the string number? Also, what do you mean when you say "When it goes from D to F#".
– nivlac
2 hours ago
Hi! Thank you, sorry for my poor wording. I just meant like the D on the B string and the F# on the E string. That part makes sense to me. The part I don't understand is why the F# that's on the D string is skipped over.
– aroundthecoroner
2 hours ago
The main reason the chord is played like this, is to have a D as the lowest note. You'll notice that when you learn basic open chords (A, D, E and Am, Dm, Em) the number of strings that are played (5, 4, 6) is chosen to have A, D and E as the lowest note.
– Your Uncle Bob
55 mins ago
The standard E chord goes from E to B (skipping the G#) and the standard A chord goes from A to E (skipping the C#) - aren't these similar in that respect?
– topo morto
53 mins ago
add a comment |
I'm a beginner trying to teach myself guitar, and I thought I understood how chords work but the D major chord just confuses the heck out of me.
From what I know, chords are built out of triads, and for D, that's D, F#, A.
So I can see that in the later part of the chord, when it goes from D to F#, and before it, when it's A, but I don't understand what's happening with the open D string. Why does it do directly from D to A when there's a whole F# there?
I don't know if I'm missing something or maybe if I need a break from all this, but help would be appreciated.
Thanks in advance!
guitar chords scales chord-theory acoustic-guitar
asked 2 hours ago
aroundthecoroneraroundthecoroner
61
New contributor
aroundthecoroner is a new contributor to this site. Take care in asking for clarification, commenting, and answering.
Check out our Code of Conduct.
I'm a beginner trying to teach myself guitar, and I thought I understood how chords work but the D major chord just confuses the heck out of me.
From what I know, chords are built out of triads, and for D, that's D, F#, A.
So I can see that in the later part of the chord, when it goes from D to F#, and before it, when it's A, but I don't understand what's happening with the open D string. Why does it do directly from D to A when there's a whole F# there?
I don't know if I'm missing something or maybe if I need a break from all this, but help would be appreciated.
Thanks in advance!
guitar chords scales chord-theory acoustic-guitar
guitar chords scales chord-theory acoustic-guitar
asked 2 hours ago
aroundthecoroneraroundthecoroner
61
New contributor
aroundthecoroner is a new contributor to this site. Take care in asking for clarification, commenting, and answering.
Check out our Code of Conduct.
asked 2 hours ago
aroundthecoroneraroundthecoroner
61
New contributor
aroundthecoroner is a new contributor to this site. Take care in asking for clarification, commenting, and answering.
Check out our Code of Conduct.
asked 2 hours ago
aroundthecoroneraroundthecoroner
61
New contributor
aroundthecoroner is a new contributor to this site. Take care in asking for clarification, commenting, and answering.
Check out our Code of Conduct.
asked 2 hours ago
aroundthecoroneraroundthecoroner
61
asked 2 hours ago
aroundthecoroneraroundthecoroner
61
61
New contributor
aroundthecoroner is a new contributor to this site. Take care in asking for clarification, commenting, and answering.
Check out our Code of Conduct.
New contributor
aroundthecoroner is a new contributor to this site. Take care in asking for clarification, commenting, and answering.
Check out our Code of Conduct.
aroundthecoroner is a new contributor to this site. Take care in asking for clarification, commenting, and answering.
Check out our Code of Conduct.
Hi, could you explain or clarify what you mean by "later part of the chord"? Are you referring to the string number? Also, what do you mean when you say "When it goes from D to F#".
– nivlac
2 hours ago
Hi! Thank you, sorry for my poor wording. I just meant like the D on the B string and the F# on the E string. That part makes sense to me. The part I don't understand is why the F# that's on the D string is skipped over.
– aroundthecoroner
2 hours ago
The main reason the chord is played like this, is to have a D as the lowest note. You'll notice that when you learn basic open chords (A, D, E and Am, Dm, Em) the number of strings that are played (5, 4, 6) is chosen to have A, D and E as the lowest note.
– Your Uncle Bob
55 mins ago
The standard E chord goes from E to B (skipping the G#) and the standard A chord goes from A to E (skipping the C#) - aren't these similar in that respect?
– topo morto
53 mins ago
add a comment |
Hi, could you explain or clarify what you mean by "later part of the chord"? Are you referring to the string number? Also, what do you mean when you say "When it goes from D to F#".
– nivlac
2 hours ago
Hi! Thank you, sorry for my poor wording. I just meant like the D on the B string and the F# on the E string. That part makes sense to me. The part I don't understand is why the F# that's on the D string is skipped over.
– aroundthecoroner
2 hours ago
The main reason the chord is played like this, is to have a D as the lowest note. You'll notice that when you learn basic open chords (A, D, E and Am, Dm, Em) the number of strings that are played (5, 4, 6) is chosen to have A, D and E as the lowest note.
– Your Uncle Bob
55 mins ago
The standard E chord goes from E to B (skipping the G#) and the standard A chord goes from A to E (skipping the C#) - aren't these similar in that respect?
– topo morto
53 mins ago
Hi, could you explain or clarify what you mean by "later part of the chord"? Are you referring to the string number? Also, what do you mean when you say "When it goes from D to F#".
– nivlac
2 hours ago
Hi, could you explain or clarify what you mean by "later part of the chord"? Are you referring to the string number? Also, what do you mean when you say "When it goes from D to F#".
– nivlac
2 hours ago
Hi! Thank you, sorry for my poor wording. I just meant like the D on the B string and the F# on the E string. That part makes sense to me. The part I don't understand is why the F# that's on the D string is skipped over.
– aroundthecoroner
2 hours ago
Hi! Thank you, sorry for my poor wording. I just meant like the D on the B string and the F# on the E string. That part makes sense to me. The part I don't understand is why the F# that's on the D string is skipped over.
– aroundthecoroner
2 hours ago
The main reason the chord is played like this, is to have a D as the lowest note. You'll notice that when you learn basic open chords (A, D, E and Am, Dm, Em) the number of strings that are played (5, 4, 6) is chosen to have A, D and E as the lowest note.
– Your Uncle Bob
55 mins ago
The main reason the chord is played like this, is to have a D as the lowest note. You'll notice that when you learn basic open chords (A, D, E and Am, Dm, Em) the number of strings that are played (5, 4, 6) is chosen to have A, D and E as the lowest note.
– Your Uncle Bob
55 mins ago
The standard E chord goes from E to B (skipping the G#) and the standard A chord goes from A to E (skipping the C#) - aren't these similar in that respect?
– topo morto
53 mins ago
The standard E chord goes from E to B (skipping the G#) and the standard A chord goes from A to E (skipping the C#) - aren't these similar in that respect?
– topo morto
53 mins ago
add a comment |
2 Answers
2
active
oldest
votes
You wouldn't be able to play the D and the F# at the same time because they are on the same string.
The only way to play both notes would be to play the D on the 5th fret of the A string, resulting in this chord:
This is far more difficult to play and the sound of the chord is arguably very similar.
answered 2 hours ago
AricAric
564213
add a comment |
I think the confusion here is that it doesn't matter what order the notes are in. Think of a piano for second...you can pick any D, any F# and any A anywhere on the piano regardless of what order or how much space is in between the notes and you will still have a D major triad. You can also pick 2 or 3 of any notes and you would still have a D triad. Same with guitar.
The voicing will be different but the name of and quality of the chord is the same. Different voicing may be said to be open or closed, depending on the space between the notes, and may be considered in an inversion depending on the lowest sounding note but it will still be the same chord.
answered 1 hour ago
b3kob3ko
3,581917
This is in principle the right answer, but your statements as to “anywhere ... regardless of the order” really are a bit too strong. It is not that arbitrary.
– leftaroundabout
1 hour ago
Indeed. The D chord actually demonstrates that the order is important. You don't play the open A string in order to have a D as the lowest note.
– Your Uncle Bob
58 mins ago
@YourUncleBob -- you certainly can play the open A string here; that is just a D in second inversion.
– David Bowling
54 mins ago
@DavidBowling You can, of course, but beginners are taught to play versions with the root note in the bass because that makes it more obvious to the untrained ear how the chord progression moves up and down.
– Your Uncle Bob
51 mins ago
add a comment |
Your Answer
StackExchange.ready(function() {
var channelOptions = {
tags: "".split(" "),
id: "240"
};
initTagRenderer("".split(" "), "".split(" "), channelOptions);
StackExchange.using("externalEditor", function() {
// Have to fire editor after snippets, if snippets enabled
if (StackExchange.settings.snippets.snippetsEnabled) {
StackExchange.using("snippets", function() {
createEditor();
});
}
else {
createEditor();
}
});
function createEditor() {
StackExchange.prepareEditor({
heartbeatType: 'answer',
autoActivateHeartbeat: false,
convertImagesToLinks: false,
noModals: true,
showLowRepImageUploadWarning: true,
reputationToPostImages: null,
bindNavPrevention: true,
postfix: "",
imageUploader: {
brandingHtml: "Powered by u003ca class="icon-imgur-white" href="https://imgur.com/"u003eu003c/au003e",
contentPolicyHtml: "User contributions licensed under u003ca href="https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/3.0/"u003ecc by-sa 3.0 with attribution requiredu003c/au003e u003ca href="https://stackoverflow.com/legal/content-policy"u003e(content policy)u003c/au003e",
allowUrls: true
},
noCode: true, onDemand: true,
discardSelector: ".discard-answer"
,immediatelyShowMarkdownHelp:true
});
}
});
aroundthecoroner is a new contributor. Be nice, and check out our Code of Conduct.
Sign up or log in
StackExchange.ready(function () {
StackExchange.helpers.onClickDraftSave('#login-link');
});
Sign up using Google
Sign up using Facebook
Sign up using Email and Password
Post as a guest
Required, but never shown
StackExchange.ready(
function () {
StackExchange.openid.initPostLogin('.new-post-login', 'https%3a%2f%2fmusic.stackexchange.com%2fquestions%2f79475%2fhow-was-the-d-chord-constructed%23new-answer', 'question_page');
}
);
Post as a guest
Required, but never shown
2 Answers
2
active
oldest
votes
2 Answers
2
active
oldest
votes
active
oldest
votes
active
oldest
votes
You wouldn't be able to play the D and the F# at the same time because they are on the same string.
The only way to play both notes would be to play the D on the 5th fret of the A string, resulting in this chord:
This is far more difficult to play and the sound of the chord is arguably very similar.
answered 2 hours ago
AricAric
564213
add a comment |
You wouldn't be able to play the D and the F# at the same time because they are on the same string.
The only way to play both notes would be to play the D on the 5th fret of the A string, resulting in this chord:
This is far more difficult to play and the sound of the chord is arguably very similar.
answered 2 hours ago
AricAric
564213
add a comment |
You wouldn't be able to play the D and the F# at the same time because they are on the same string.
The only way to play both notes would be to play the D on the 5th fret of the A string, resulting in this chord:
This is far more difficult to play and the sound of the chord is arguably very similar.
answered 2 hours ago
AricAric
564213
You wouldn't be able to play the D and the F# at the same time because they are on the same string.
The only way to play both notes would be to play the D on the 5th fret of the A string, resulting in this chord:
This is far more difficult to play and the sound of the chord is arguably very similar.
answered 2 hours ago
AricAric
564213
answered 2 hours ago
AricAric
564213
answered 2 hours ago
AricAric
564213
answered 2 hours ago
AricAric
564213
564213
add a comment |
add a comment |
I think the confusion here is that it doesn't matter what order the notes are in. Think of a piano for second...you can pick any D, any F# and any A anywhere on the piano regardless of what order or how much space is in between the notes and you will still have a D major triad. You can also pick 2 or 3 of any notes and you would still have a D triad. Same with guitar.
The voicing will be different but the name of and quality of the chord is the same. Different voicing may be said to be open or closed, depending on the space between the notes, and may be considered in an inversion depending on the lowest sounding note but it will still be the same chord.
answered 1 hour ago
b3kob3ko
3,581917
This is in principle the right answer, but your statements as to “anywhere ... regardless of the order” really are a bit too strong. It is not that arbitrary.
– leftaroundabout
1 hour ago
Indeed. The D chord actually demonstrates that the order is important. You don't play the open A string in order to have a D as the lowest note.
– Your Uncle Bob
58 mins ago
@YourUncleBob -- you certainly can play the open A string here; that is just a D in second inversion.
– David Bowling
54 mins ago
@DavidBowling You can, of course, but beginners are taught to play versions with the root note in the bass because that makes it more obvious to the untrained ear how the chord progression moves up and down.
– Your Uncle Bob
51 mins ago
add a comment |
I think the confusion here is that it doesn't matter what order the notes are in. Think of a piano for second...you can pick any D, any F# and any A anywhere on the piano regardless of what order or how much space is in between the notes and you will still have a D major triad. You can also pick 2 or 3 of any notes and you would still have a D triad. Same with guitar.
The voicing will be different but the name of and quality of the chord is the same. Different voicing may be said to be open or closed, depending on the space between the notes, and may be considered in an inversion depending on the lowest sounding note but it will still be the same chord.
answered 1 hour ago
b3kob3ko
3,581917
This is in principle the right answer, but your statements as to “anywhere ... regardless of the order” really are a bit too strong. It is not that arbitrary.
– leftaroundabout
1 hour ago
Indeed. The D chord actually demonstrates that the order is important. You don't play the open A string in order to have a D as the lowest note.
– Your Uncle Bob
58 mins ago
@YourUncleBob -- you certainly can play the open A string here; that is just a D in second inversion.
– David Bowling
54 mins ago
@DavidBowling You can, of course, but beginners are taught to play versions with the root note in the bass because that makes it more obvious to the untrained ear how the chord progression moves up and down.
– Your Uncle Bob
51 mins ago
add a comment |
I think the confusion here is that it doesn't matter what order the notes are in. Think of a piano for second...you can pick any D, any F# and any A anywhere on the piano regardless of what order or how much space is in between the notes and you will still have a D major triad. You can also pick 2 or 3 of any notes and you would still have a D triad. Same with guitar.
The voicing will be different but the name of and quality of the chord is the same. Different voicing may be said to be open or closed, depending on the space between the notes, and may be considered in an inversion depending on the lowest sounding note but it will still be the same chord.
answered 1 hour ago
b3kob3ko
3,581917
I think the confusion here is that it doesn't matter what order the notes are in. Think of a piano for second...you can pick any D, any F# and any A anywhere on the piano regardless of what order or how much space is in between the notes and you will still have a D major triad. You can also pick 2 or 3 of any notes and you would still have a D triad. Same with guitar.
The voicing will be different but the name of and quality of the chord is the same. Different voicing may be said to be open or closed, depending on the space between the notes, and may be considered in an inversion depending on the lowest sounding note but it will still be the same chord.
answered 1 hour ago
b3kob3ko
3,581917
answered 1 hour ago
b3kob3ko
3,581917
answered 1 hour ago
b3kob3ko
3,581917
answered 1 hour ago
b3kob3ko
3,581917
3,581917
This is in principle the right answer, but your statements as to “anywhere ... regardless of the order” really are a bit too strong. It is not that arbitrary.
– leftaroundabout
1 hour ago
Indeed. The D chord actually demonstrates that the order is important. You don't play the open A string in order to have a D as the lowest note.
– Your Uncle Bob
58 mins ago
@YourUncleBob -- you certainly can play the open A string here; that is just a D in second inversion.
– David Bowling
54 mins ago
@DavidBowling You can, of course, but beginners are taught to play versions with the root note in the bass because that makes it more obvious to the untrained ear how the chord progression moves up and down.
– Your Uncle Bob
51 mins ago
add a comment |
This is in principle the right answer, but your statements as to “anywhere ... regardless of the order” really are a bit too strong. It is not that arbitrary.
– leftaroundabout
1 hour ago
Indeed. The D chord actually demonstrates that the order is important. You don't play the open A string in order to have a D as the lowest note.
– Your Uncle Bob
58 mins ago
@YourUncleBob -- you certainly can play the open A string here; that is just a D in second inversion.
– David Bowling
54 mins ago
@DavidBowling You can, of course, but beginners are taught to play versions with the root note in the bass because that makes it more obvious to the untrained ear how the chord progression moves up and down.
– Your Uncle Bob
51 mins ago
This is in principle the right answer, but your statements as to “anywhere ... regardless of the order” really are a bit too strong. It is not that arbitrary.
– leftaroundabout
1 hour ago
This is in principle the right answer, but your statements as to “anywhere ... regardless of the order” really are a bit too strong. It is not that arbitrary.
– leftaroundabout
1 hour ago
Indeed. The D chord actually demonstrates that the order is important. You don't play the open A string in order to have a D as the lowest note.
– Your Uncle Bob
58 mins ago
Indeed. The D chord actually demonstrates that the order is important. You don't play the open A string in order to have a D as the lowest note.
– Your Uncle Bob
58 mins ago
@YourUncleBob -- you certainly can play the open A string here; that is just a D in second inversion.
– David Bowling
54 mins ago
@YourUncleBob -- you certainly can play the open A string here; that is just a D in second inversion.
– David Bowling
54 mins ago
@DavidBowling You can, of course, but beginners are taught to play versions with the root note in the bass because that makes it more obvious to the untrained ear how the chord progression moves up and down.
– Your Uncle Bob
51 mins ago
@DavidBowling You can, of course, but beginners are taught to play versions with the root note in the bass because that makes it more obvious to the untrained ear how the chord progression moves up and down.
– Your Uncle Bob
51 mins ago
add a comment |
aroundthecoroner is a new contributor. Be nice, and check out our Code of Conduct.
aroundthecoroner is a new contributor. Be nice, and check out our Code of Conduct.
aroundthecoroner is a new contributor. Be nice, and check out our Code of Conduct.
aroundthecoroner is a new contributor. Be nice, and check out our Code of Conduct.
Thanks for contributing an answer to Music: Practice & Theory Stack Exchange!
- Please be sure to answer the question. Provide details and share your research!
But avoid …
- Asking for help, clarification, or responding to other answers.
- Making statements based on opinion; back them up with references or personal experience.
To learn more, see our tips on writing great answers.
Sign up or log in
StackExchange.ready(function () {
StackExchange.helpers.onClickDraftSave('#login-link');
});
Sign up using Google
Sign up using Facebook
Sign up using Email and Password
Post as a guest
Required, but never shown
StackExchange.ready(
function () {
StackExchange.openid.initPostLogin('.new-post-login', 'https%3a%2f%2fmusic.stackexchange.com%2fquestions%2f79475%2fhow-was-the-d-chord-constructed%23new-answer', 'question_page');
}
);
Post as a guest
Required, but never shown
Sign up or log in
StackExchange.ready(function () {
StackExchange.helpers.onClickDraftSave('#login-link');
});
Sign up using Google
Sign up using Facebook
Sign up using Email and Password
Post as a guest
Required, but never shown
Sign up or log in
StackExchange.ready(function () {
StackExchange.helpers.onClickDraftSave('#login-link');
});
Sign up using Google
Sign up using Facebook
Sign up using Email and Password
Post as a guest
Required, but never shown
Sign up or log in
StackExchange.ready(function () {
StackExchange.helpers.onClickDraftSave('#login-link');
});
Sign up using Google
Sign up using Facebook
Sign up using Email and Password
Sign up using Google
Sign up using Facebook
Sign up using Email and Password
Post as a guest
Required, but never shown
Required, but never shown
Required, but never shown
Required, but never shown
Required, but never shown
Required, but never shown
Required, but never shown
Required, but never shown
Required, but never shown
Hi, could you explain or clarify what you mean by "later part of the chord"? Are you referring to the string number? Also, what do you mean when you say "When it goes from D to F#".
– nivlac
2 hours ago
Hi! Thank you, sorry for my poor wording. I just meant like the D on the B string and the F# on the E string. That part makes sense to me. The part I don't understand is why the F# that's on the D string is skipped over.
– aroundthecoroner
2 hours ago
The main reason the chord is played like this, is to have a D as the lowest note. You'll notice that when you learn basic open chords (A, D, E and Am, Dm, Em) the number of strings that are played (5, 4, 6) is chosen to have A, D and E as the lowest note.
– Your Uncle Bob
55 mins ago
The standard E chord goes from E to B (skipping the G#) and the standard A chord goes from A to E (skipping the C#) - aren't these similar in that respect?
– topo morto
53 mins ago