D# Major Chord, How to Play D Sharp Guitar Chord - Music Grotto (2024)

There are many ways to play D# major on guitar, several of which use barre chords. However, if you are a beginner, there are other, more comfortable methods for your fingers. Although you won’t see the D# major as frequently as D major, you’ll need it as you continue your guitar journey.

D Sharp Major Chord

D# major uses the root, major third, and the perfect fifth of the D# major scale. While that may seem straightforward, the complications of this chord come with the name of the major third, which can be confusing.

Version 1 (A Barre Shape)

• Barre strings 1-5 at fret 6
• 2nd finger to D-string fret 8
• 3rd finger to G-string fret 8
• 4th finger to B-string fret 8

This is one of the most common and useful ways to play the D# major chord. You will see the familiar A major shape inside this barre chord. Both the A and E-shapes are helpful when you want your guitar part to accompany a band or a singer.

Using essentially the same chord shape, you can achieve an even bigger sound with this D# major barre chord. All you have to do is barre all six strings instead of only the first five strings. When you barre all six strings, you put a lower A# note in the bass, making the chord thicker.

Similar A-shape chord: Bbm guitar chord

Version 2 (E-Shape)

• Barre all six strings at fret 11
• 2nd finger to G-string fret 12
• 3rd finger to A-string fret 13
• 4th finger to D-string fret 13

The next barre chord to learn when learning how to play D sharp major on guitar is this E major barre chord shape. You can see that your 2nd, 3rd, and 4th fingers create an E-major chord shape. The only difference is that you form it much higher up on the guitar neck with a barred finger.

Try a minor barre: Abm on guitar

Version 3

• 1st finger to G-string fret 3
• 2nd finger to high E-string fret 3
• 3rd finger to B-string fret 4

The third shape is likely the most common version of the D# major chord. Essentially, it is a standard D major chord shape in a slightly different neck position. It’s essential to only strum the highest three strings – the ones where your fingers are – when you play this shape.

You can achieve a slightly more prominent sound using a similar chord shape. For this variant, you will need the D-string to add a bass note.

Next chord: A# major

Version 3 (with D-string)

• 1st finger to D-string fret 1
• 2nd finger to G-string fret 3
• 3rd finger to high E-string fret 3
• 4th finger to B-string fret 4

This shape is quite challenging to play for beginners, but it is good practice as a moveable chord shape. If you keep your fingers the same distance apart and move them up and down the neck, you can play all kinds of major chords.

Easy chord: D flat major

Version 4

• 1st finger to high E-string fret 6
• 2nd finger to D-string fret 8
• 3rd finger to G-string fret 8
• 4th finger to B-string fret 8

Shape 4 for D# major uses the upper part of the A-shape but does not require the barre, so it’s easier for beginners. Alternatively, you can also remove the first finger from this shape and just play the D, G, and B strings.

Like the other shapes that are not barre chords, it’s vital to only strum the strings that have fingers on them.

Version 5

• 1st finger to B-string fret 11
• 2nd finger to D-string fret 12
• 3rd finger to G-string fret 12

Shape 5 is a simplified version of the E barre chord shape for D# major. You can see that you are only playing the higher part of the full barre chord. With this shape, you can also use your first finger to cover both the high-E string and B-string at fret 11.

This shape uses notes of a major chord that are higher-pitched. If your guitar part is supposed to be in the higher range for a band arrangement, this is a helpful chord shape to help your sound pierce through the lower instruments.

Version 6 (C-Shape)

• 1st finger on fret 3 of D, G, and B-strings
• 2nd finger to B-string fret 4
• 3rd finger to D-string fret 5
• 4th finger to A-string fret 6

Shape 6 is another full-sounding D# major chord with a C major chord shape within it. While challenging, practicing this chord shape and moving it around the neck will allow you to play all kinds of major chords. You can use this shape to add to your arsenal of major chord variants for new sounds.

Even though the D# major guitar chord has several challenging fingerings, learning how to play them will make you a versatile, experienced guitar player.

Notes in D# Major Chord

• Root: D#
• Major 3rd: Fx
• Perfect 5th: A#

The major third of the D# major scale is Fx or F double sharp. Fx might sound complicated, but it is just an F note raised two half steps, or G.

Musicians more often refer to D# major as Eb or E flat major.

Notes in Eb Major Chord

• Root: Eb
• Major 3rd: G
• Perfect 5th: Bb

The notes used to create Eb major and D# major are the same, but they just have different names depending on whether the scale focuses on sharps or flats.

Try more chords:

D# minor (D#m guitar chord)

A# minor (A#m guitar chord)

Dbm chord (D flat minor on guitar)

A flat (Ab on guitar)