Explore chords · Ukulele
D 5th chord on ukulele (D5)
Also called or written D5, D or D power chord
D 5th contains D and A. This power chord at the 7th fret has two muted strings, an intermediate grip that demands clean muting.
How it is built
Formula 1, 5
How do you play a D 5th chord on ukulele?
D 5th is played at the 7th fret as 7 9 × ×: index finger on the G string at fret 7 and middle finger on the C string at fret 9. The E and A strings stay muted.
Full note and interval breakdown
| String | Fret | Finger | Note |
|---|---|---|---|
| 4 (G) | 7 | 1 | D (1) |
| 3 (C) | 9 | 2 | A (5) |
| 2 (E) | muted | — | — |
| 1 (A) | muted | — | — |
IntermediateThe index and middle fingers must fret cleanly while both remaining strings are muted, requiring precise finger placement.
10th fret
D 5th is played at the 10th fret as × × 10 12: index finger on the E string at fret 10 and middle finger on the A string at fret 12. The G and C strings stay muted.
Full note and interval breakdown
| String | Fret | Finger | Note |
|---|---|---|---|
| 4 (G) | muted | — | — |
| 3 (C) | muted | — | — |
| 2 (E) | 10 | 1 | D (1) |
| 1 (A) | 12 | 2 | A (5) |
2nd fret
D 5th is played at the 2nd fret as 2 2 × ×: index finger on the G string at fret 2 and middle finger on the C string at fret 2. The E and A strings stay muted.
Full note and interval breakdown
| String | Fret | Finger | Note |
|---|---|---|---|
| 4 (G) | 2 | 1 | A (5) |
| 3 (C) | 2 | 2 | D (1) |
| 2 (E) | muted | — | — |
| 1 (A) | muted | — | — |
D5/A inversion · fret 5
D 5th is played at the 5th fret as × × 5 5: index finger on the E string at fret 5 and middle finger on the A string at fret 5. The G and C strings stay muted.
Full note and interval breakdown
| String | Fret | Finger | Note |
|---|---|---|---|
| 4 (G) | muted | — | — |
| 3 (C) | muted | — | — |
| 2 (E) | 5 | 1 | A (5) |
| 1 (A) | 5 | 2 | D (1) |
D5/A inversion · fret 9
D 5th is played at the 9th fret as × 9 10 ×: index finger on the C string at fret 9 and middle finger on the E string at fret 10. The G and A strings stay muted.
Full note and interval breakdown
| String | Fret | Finger | Note |
|---|---|---|---|
| 4 (G) | muted | — | — |
| 3 (C) | 9 | 1 | A (5) |
| 2 (E) | 10 | 2 | D (1) |
| 1 (A) | muted | — | — |
Why it sounds like that
D 5th is built from the formula 1, 5, using the root D and its perfect fifth A. The perfect fifth gives the chord its strong, open sound. Compare D 5th with D major, which adds the major third F♯.
What goes wrong with D 5th?
- Letting the E or A string ring open because the muting finger is not touching it.
- Pressing the G string too hard and pulling it sharp.
- Flattening the middle finger onto the E string and accidentally fretting it.
When to use it
D 5th works as a power chord in D major progressions like D–G–A, the I–IV–V in D major. D 5th suits rock and punk where a full major chord sounds too bright.
Changing to and from D 5th
- Move from D 5th to G major by lifting the middle finger and placing it on the C string 7th fret while the index stays on the G string 7th fret.
- Slide D 5th up one fret to E♭ 5th by moving both fingers together from the 7th fret to the 8th fret.
Which voicing to use
The 7th fret position keeps D in the bass for a rooted sound. The D5/A inversions put A in the bass, which softens the chord and works well when moving to G major or B minor.
Other D chords
Common questions
How do I mute the E and A strings cleanly in D 5th?
Rest the underside of your fretting fingers lightly against the E and A strings without pressing them to the frets. Check each string individually with a slow strum.
Why does D 5th sound different from D major?
D 5th omits the major third F♯, leaving only the root and fifth. Without the third the chord has no major or minor quality, which is why it works over both D major and D minor contexts.
Can I play D 5th higher up the neck?
Yes, the 10th fret position plays D and A on the E and A strings. The higher register cuts through a band mix but loses the low G string warmth.