D Chord On Banjo

Whether you’re a beginner or an expert we’ve got you covered with the most complete list of common finger positions and inversions of the D chord on a banjo.

All of the following chord positions are based on a 4 or 5 string banjo tuned to standard open G tuning. If you are playing a 4 string banjo the finger position is the same for each chord. Just ignore the top (fifth) string.

The Most Common D Major Banjo Chord Position

The most common way to play the D Major chord on a banjo is:

The fifth string is not played.
The forth string is played open.
Place your index finger on the third string behind the second fret.
Place your middle finger on the second string behind the third fret.
Place your ring or pinky finger on the first string behind the forth fret.

Although this is the most common this is not the only way to play this chord. Once you have mastered this position, check out the D Major banjo chord Inversions below for alternate finger positions to enhance your banjo playing skills.

Notes

The D Major banjo chord includes the notes D, F sharp and A.

The D note (root) is played on the forth string open and the second string, third fret.
The F sharp note (major) is played on the first string, forth fret.
The A note (major) is played on the third string, second fret.

D Major Banjo Chord Inversions

As you may know the same notes are available at many different positions on the banjo fretboard. An inversion is simply just another way of positioning your fingers on the banjo neck to play a familiar chord.

Below is a list of alternate finger positioning for this chord. Have some fun with them, maybe you’ll figure out a new way to play an old song.

D Major Banjo Chord Inversion 1

The fifth string is not played.
Place your ring finger on the forth string behind the forth fret.
Place your index finger on the third string behind the second fret.
Place your middle finger on the second string behind the third fret.
Place your pinky finger on the first string behind the forth fret.

The D note (root) is played on the second string, third fret.
The F sharp note (major) is played on the forth and first string, forth fret.
The A note (major) is played on the third string, second fret.

D Major Banjo Chord Inversion 2

The fifth string is not played.
The forth string is played open.
Place your index finger across the third, second and first strings behind the seventh fret.

The D note (root) is played on the third string, seventh fret.
The F sharp note (major) is played on the second string, seventh fret.
The A note (major) is played on the first string, seventh fret.

D Major Banjo Chord Inversion 3

The fifth string is not played.
Place your index finger across the forth, third, second and first strings behind the seventh fret.

The D note (root) is played on the third string, seventh fret.
The F sharp note (major) is played on the second string, seventh fret.
The A note (major) is played on the forth and first string, seventh fret.

D Major Banjo Chord Inversion 4

The fifth string is not played.
The forth string is played open.
Place your middle finger on the third string behind the eleventh fret.
Place your index finger on the second string behind the tenth fret.
Place your ring finger on the first string behind the twelfth fret.

The D note (root) is played on the forth string open and the first string, twelfth fret.
The F sharp note (major) is played on the third string, eleventh fret.
The A note (major) is played on the second string, tenth fret.

D Major Banjo Chord Inversion 5

The fifth string is not played.
Place your ring finger on the forth string behind the twelfth fret.
Place your middle finger on the third string behind the eleventh fret.
Place your index finger on the second string behind the tenth fret.
Place your ring pinky on the first string behind the twelfth fret.

The D note (root) is played on the forth and first string, twelfth fret.
The F sharp note (major) is played on the third string, eleventh fret.
The A note (major) is played on the second string, tenth fret.