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How to play the F major over D chord on guitar

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The F major over D chord

The F chord, pronounced "F major over D," is a unique guitar voicing that adds depth and richness to progressions. By playing an F major triad over a D bass note, the chord creates a lush, harmonically complex sound. The F/D chord is commonly used in genres like folk, country, and pop, and can be heard in songs like "Wonderwall" by Oasis.

There are many ways to play a chord. Here's a diagram for the most common F major over D chord. We've also included other versions below.

F major over D guitar chord diagram

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Finger placement for F major over D chord

The most common way to play an F major chord over a D chord on guitar is to use the F major barre chord shape on the 3rd fret.

Follow these finger positions to play an F major over D chord on your guitar:

  1. Barre your index finger across all six strings at the 3rd fret.
  2. Place your ring finger on the 5th fret of the 4th (D) string.
  3. Place your pinky finger on the 5th fret of the 3rd (G) string.
  4. Place your middle finger on the 4th fret of the 2nd (B) string.

To strum this chord, use a downward motion to play all six strings simultaneously, ensuring that each string rings out clearly.

F major over D guitar chord with finger positions

How to play an easy F major over D chord on guitar

If you're a beginner looking to play a simpler version of the F major over D chord, try playing the three highest strings (1st, 2nd, and 3rd) on the first fret with your index finger. This version of the chord is called "F/D" or "F over D" and is easier to play than the barre chord.

How to play a F major over D bar chord

Playing the F major over D chord as a barre chord can make it easier to transition between chords, especially when playing with a capo.

Here's how to play an F major over D barre chord:

  1. Place your index finger across the 10th fret, covering all six strings (barre).
  2. Place your ring finger on the 12th fret of the 4th (D) string.
  3. Place your pinky finger on the 12th fret of the 3rd (G) string.
  4. Place your middle finger on the 11th fret of the 2nd (B) string.
  5. Strum all six strings from low to high.

Common F major over D chord progressions

The F major chord played over a D bass note, known as F/D, is a popular chord that adds a sense of movement, tension, or resolution to a progression. It often serves as a transitional chord, connecting different sections of a song or leading back to the tonic. Here are some common chord progressions featuring the F/D chord:

  • I - V/VII - IV - I (D - F/D - G - D)
  • I - V/VII - vi - IV (D - F/D - Bm - G)
  • I - V/VII - IV - V (D - F/D - G - A)
  • I - V/VII - ii - V (D - F/D - Em - A)
  • I - V/VII - iii - vi (D - F/D - F#m - Bm)

Drills to master the F major over D chord

To master the F major over D guitar chord, try this simple drill: play each note of the chord individually, starting with the lowest note (D) and ascending to the highest (C). Focus on cleanly fretting each note and letting it ring out before moving to the next. Once comfortable, play the notes in reverse order, descending from C to D.

Another effective drill is to play the chord as an arpeggio, plucking each note one at a time in a continuous loop. Experiment with different rhythmic patterns and tempos to develop finger dexterity and muscle memory.

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Songs that feature the F major over D chord

Here are 10 popular songs you can play with the F major over D chord.

  1. Patience by Guns N' Roses (D, F, C, G)
  2. The Joker by Steve Miller Band (F, C, G, D)
  3. Wonderwall by Oasis (Em7, G, D, A7sus4)
  4. Free Fallin' by Tom Petty (D, A, G, D, G, D, A)
  5. Hotel California by Eagles (Am, E7, G, D, F, C, Dm, E7)
  6. Wish You Were Here by Pink Floyd (Em, G, Em, G, Em, A, Em, A, G, Em, G, Em)
  7. Dust in the Wind by Kansas (C, Am, Dm, G, Am)
  8. Blackbird by The Beatles (G, A7, C, G, A7, C, G)
  9. Stairway to Heaven by Led Zeppelin (Am, G, C, D, F, Am, C, G, D)
  10. The Scientist by Coldplay (F, Am, Dm, Bb, F, C)

How a guitar teacher can help

If you feel stuck in your playing, it might help to take personalized guitar lessons with an expert guitarist. Taking lessons with a pro gives you access to the skills, feedback, and motivation to reach your goals.

You can find expert guitar teachers to support you in the journey. Thousands of people have turned to online guitar lessons on Til, instead of traditional in-person lessons, because Til gives you access to the best teachers in the world from the comfort of home. And with flexible scheduling, secure payments, lesson recordings, and a private chat with your teacher–there’s never been a better way to learn guitar.

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