Understanding guitar chords can be an exciting journey for any musician. Among the vast landscape of chords, the D2 chord, also known as Dadd9, stands out with its unique and vibrant sound. If you’re looking to expand your chord vocabulary and add a fresh color to your playing, mastering the D2 chord is a fantastic step. This guide will break down the D2 Guitar Chord, exploring its theory, construction, and various ways to play it on your guitar.
What is a D2 Chord?
At its core, a D2 chord is a variation of the D major chord. To understand it, let’s first recall the D major chord, which consists of the notes D, F#, and A. The “2” in D2 signifies the addition of the second note of the D major scale to the basic D major triad. In the key of D major, the notes are D, E, F#, G, A, B, C#. Therefore, the second note is E.
So, the D2 chord is composed of the notes:
- Root: D
- Major Second: E (the “2” or “add9” note)
- Major Third: F#
- Perfect Fifth: A
Essentially, you’re adding an E note to a D major chord, creating a richer, more open sound. Musicians often use “D2” and “Dadd9” interchangeably, and for practical purposes on the guitar, they refer to the same chord. The “add9” nomenclature comes from considering the added note E as the 9th note in the scale (an octave plus a second), but in simpler terms, it’s the 2nd.
How to Play the D2 Guitar Chord: Different Voicings
One of the appealing aspects of the D2 chord is its versatility. There are several ways to finger it on the guitar neck, offering different voicings and tonal colors. Here are a few common and useful D2 chord shapes:
1. Open Position D2 (easiest)
This is likely the most beginner-friendly way to play a D2 chord. It utilizes open strings and is relatively easy to fret.
e|--0--
B|--3--
G|--2--
D|--0--
A|--0--
E|--x---
Fingering:
- Open E string: Played open (E note)
- B string, 3rd fret: G (part of the D major chord, and will be omitted or less emphasized in some voicings for a true D2 sound)
- G string, 2nd fret: E (the added 2nd)
- D string, Open: D (root)
- A string, Open: A (5th)
- Low E string: Not played (x)
-
Notes in this voicing: Primarily E, G, E, D, A. While technically including a G, this voicing often emphasizes the D, E, and A notes, giving a strong D2 character. You can strum it focusing on the top 4 or 5 strings to minimize the G if desired for a purer D2 sound.
2. D2 Chord using C Shape (Barre Chord Variation)
This voicing is movable and based on the open C major barre chord shape.
Let’s first visualize a C major barre chord shape moved up to the 5th fret to become a G major chord. Now, we’ll adapt this for D2 starting at the 10th fret (to get a D root).
e|-10--
B|-10--
G|-9---
D|-0--- (or 12)
A|-12--
E|-10---
Fingering (Starting at 10th fret for D root on E string):
- E string, 10th fret: D (root)
- B string, 10th fret: F# (3rd)
- G string, 9th fret: E (2nd)
- D string, Open (or 12th fret D): D (root, octave higher or same as root)
- A string, 12th fret: E (2nd, octave higher)
- Low E string, 10th fret: D (root)
-
Notes in this voicing: D, F#, E, D, E, D. This voicing clearly presents the D root, F# third, and the crucial E second, providing a full and rich D2 sound. You can barre across the 10th fret with your index finger and use other fingers for the remaining notes.
3. D2 Chord using G Shape (Movable)
Similar to the C shape, we can adapt a G major barre chord shape for D2. A G shape barre chord at the 5th fret is a D major chord. We’ll modify this to add the 2nd.
e|-5--
B|-7--
G|-7--
D|-7--
A|-5--
E|-x---
Fingering (Starting at 5th fret for D root on A string):
- e string, 5th fret: A (5th)
- B string, 7th fret: E (2nd)
- G string, 7th fret: C# (7th of D, needs to be F# for D major/D2 – Correction Needed)
- D string, 7th fret: G (4th of D, needs to be A for D major/D2 – Correction Needed)
- A string, 5th fret: D (root)
- Low E string: Not played (x)
-
Correction and Improved G Shape D2: The above G shape is not directly adaptable without significant changes. A more practical “G shape” based D2 focuses on the higher strings and less on a full barre. Here’s a more usable voicing:
e|--5--
B|--7--
G|--7--
D|--4--
A|--x--
E|--x---
Fingering (Corrected G Shape D2):
- e string, 5th fret: A (5th)
- B string, 7th fret: E (2nd)
- G string, 7th fret: F# (3rd)
- D string, 4th fret: D (root)
- A string: Not played (x)
- Low E string: Not played (x)
-
Notes in this voicing (Corrected): A, E, F#, D. This voicing is brighter and often used in folk and fingerstyle guitar. It’s compact and easy to transition to from other chord shapes.
D2 Chord in Music
The D2 chord is a popular choice in various genres, including:
- Folk and Acoustic Music: Its open and airy sound fits beautifully in folk songs, adding a touch of sweetness and complexity without being overly dissonant.
- Pop and Indie: Many pop and indie songs utilize D2 to create emotional depth and harmonic interest, often in intros, verses, and bridges.
- Fingerstyle Guitar: The D2 chord voicings, especially the corrected “G shape” version, are well-suited for fingerstyle arrangements, allowing for melodic and harmonic richness.
You’ll find D2 chords in songs across many artists and styles. Experiment with substituting a D major chord with a D2 in your playing to hear the subtle yet impactful difference.
Conclusion
The D2 guitar chord is a valuable addition to any guitarist’s toolkit. By understanding its construction and practicing different voicings, you can unlock a richer and more expressive sound in your playing. Whether you’re strumming folk tunes, writing pop melodies, or exploring fingerstyle arrangements, the D2 chord offers a unique color that can elevate your music. Start with the open position D2 and gradually explore the barre chord variations to fully integrate this versatile chord into your guitar playing.
