Learn › D Major Triad Inversions on Guitar: 12 Shapes
New Released in April 2026
D Major Triad Inversions on Guitar: 12 Shapes
D triad inversions on guitar: the three notes D, F# and A on three neighbouring strings, in three positions on each of four string sets. Twelve small shapes that cover the whole neck.
No account, no download. The demo has limited content. Advanced features are in ChordRunner Premium.
- MIDI keyboard
- Digital or acoustic piano
- Guitar
- Computer, phone or tablet
Twelve D shapes, string set by string set
Each row uses three neighbouring strings and climbs the neck from the lowest shape to the highest. Mute or skip the other strings.
G-B-e strings
2nd inversion
Root position
1st inversion
D-G-B strings
1st inversion
2nd inversion
Root position
A-D-G strings
Root position
1st inversion
2nd inversion
E-A-D strings
1st inversion
2nd inversion
Root position
Three orders of the same three notes
Root position puts D at the bottom, 1st inversion puts F# at the bottom, 2nd inversion puts A at the bottom. It is still D; what changes is the lowest and the highest note you hear.
Bright and stable: the triad most songs are built on.
D inversions: the frets
| String set | Root position | 1st inversion | 2nd inversion |
|---|---|---|---|
| G-B-e strings | x x x 7 7 5 | x x x 11 10 10 | x x x 2 3 2 |
| D-G-B strings | x x 12 11 10 x | x x 4 2 3 x | x x 7 7 7 x |
| A-D-G strings | x 5 4 2 x x | x 9 7 7 x x | x 12 12 11 x x |
| E-A-D strings | 10 9 7 x x x | 2 0 0 x x x | 5 5 4 x x x |
Frets from the low E string to the high E string; x = string not played.
Practise D triads in four steps
- Start with the G-B-e strings only: three shapes, one minute each.
- Climb the neck through the three shapes and come back down without stopping.
- Stay near fret 7 and find D on two different string sets.
- Then test yourself: random chord names, find the closest D shape each time.
A few minutes a day on one string set is enough; add the next set next week.
Connecting the inversions
Climbing the G-B-e strings: 2nd inversion (fret 3) → root position (fret 7) → 1st inversion (fret 11). Listen to the top note, F#, A, D: it is a little melody inside one chord.
One area of the neck, near fret 7, already holds four D shapes: G-B-e strings 7-7-5; D-G-B strings 7-7-7; A-D-G strings 5-4-2; E-A-D strings 5-5-4.
Test D with your guitar
In ChordRunner chord names come one after another and the microphone checks every chord you play, open shape, barre or triad. It runs in the browser.
Play the demoCommon questions
How do you play D triads on the top strings?
On the G, B and high E strings: 2nd inversion 2-3-2; Root position 7-7-5; 1st inversion 11-10-10. Play only those three strings.
Why learn triad inversions on guitar?
They let you play D in any area of the neck with three fingers, so chord changes stay close and the top note can follow a melody.
What does a D triad sound like?
Bright and stable: the triad most songs are built on.
Can I practise D with a game that listens to my guitar?
Yes. ChordRunner hears your guitar through the microphone and checks the chord in any shape or inversion. A USB MIDI keyboard works too.
Your instrument is the controller.
ChordRunner is a browser game that teaches piano and guitar chords: a chord appears on screen, you play it on a real instrument, and your runner jumps. MIDI keyboard or microphone, both work.
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