Banjo D chord (Double C)D major on the 5-string banjo: 2 2 2 4, and 2 more shapes
Frets, string 4 to string 1: 2 2 2 4 (first position)
- String 4 (C): 2nd fret, index finger (barre), D
- String 3 (G): 2nd fret, index finger (barre), A
- String 2 (C): 2nd fret, index finger (barre), D
- String 1 (D): 4th fret, ring finger, F♯
- String 5, the short g: open, G, not in the chord
Sounds: D A D F♯ · D is D, F♯, A (1 · 3 · 5)
Found in: G major (V), A major (IV), D major (I), A mixolydian (IV), D mixolydian (I), A dorian (IV)
The 5th string: the short g rubs against the F♯ in this shape, a semitone away: some players let it ring, some skip it.
With a capo: on the 2nd fret it’s 0 0 0 2 (frets counted from the capo), an open C shape. Spike the 5th string at the 7th fret to keep it in tune with the capo.
Double C tuning: gCGCD, the short 5th string first, then strings 4 to 1.
The link can’t set the tuning: the app starts in open G. Choose Double C once in its Settings and it remembers.
More D shapes
- 6 7 6 7
6fr - 9 11 9 0
9fr
Other D chords in Double C
Other major chords
D in other tunings
All Double C banjo chords · Printable chart (PDF) · How to tune · The app