Introduction
You’ve got your guitar tuned to Open D, but what comes next? Maybe you’ve tried a few riffs, struggled to remember the chord shapes, or just need something useful to practice. You’re in the right place.
In this lesson, I’ve put together 10 must-know Open D chords, 10 movable chord shapes, and 12 of the most useful chord progressions to help you actually use this tuning. These aren’t random chord drills. They form the foundation of countless songs across pop, folk, blues, Celtic, classical, and country styles. Work through them regularly, and you’ll start to move beyond shapes and begin thinking in Open D.
We’ll also look briefly at the history of Open D guitar playing (sometimes called Vestapol) and learn how to use chord diagrams and Nashville Numbers so you can transpose progressions into any key.
This guide will help you move past the basics. You’ll find 20 essential chords and 12 progressions, complete with charts, audio loops, and quick-play tips. By the end, you’ll have a reliable toolkit you can use to:
• Build your own arrangements
• Add depth to your favorite covers
• Develop ideas and expand your own playing style
📥 Free Download: 20 Must-Know Chords and 12 Open D Progressions – Scroll down to the bottom to for the PDF.
If you are new to Open D, check out this introduction and tuning tutorial.
20 Must-Know Open D Guitar Chords
I trust you have your guitar tuned to open D (DADF#AD) and are ready to work on a few chords. First, we’ll start with 10 open position chords. These chords are not movable as they rely on open strings to form the whole chord. Of course, that is the beauty of any tuning to have open strings hide your squeaky chord changes.
The chords are arranged in three categories: major, minor and dominant 7th. For more open D chords, check out my poster and free bonus PDF ebook.
Open Position Major Chords
Open Position Minor Chords
Open Position Dominant 7th Chords
Next, let’s learn 10 movable chord shapes in open D.
Movable Chord Shapes in Open D
Movable chords don’t rely on open strings; therefore, they can be “moved” around the neck. All you need is to have some knowledge of the note positions and know where the chord root is. I suppose we should have a quick look at the Open D fretboard and reference it, but first, let’s learn the 10 chord shapes, starting with the major chords.
Movable Minor Chords
Movable Dominant 7th Chords
DADF#AD Guitar Fretboard Map
Use your movable chord shapes above and move the chords around the neck. Look for the root note = ® and move the chord to the desired fret. For example, if you want to play a G major with the first barre chord, then go to the 5th fret.
Aren’t you glad you checked out this lesson? I hope so, because you are on your way to getting the basics out of the way and to start creating a different way to play guitar.
First, we learned some key open position chords and movable chord shapes. Now, we will put them into practice and start playing some song progressions.
A Short History of Open D Guitar Tuning (Vestapol)
- 1860 “Sebastopol”: Henry Worrall publishes Sebastopol (Cincinnati, 1860), the first printed piece in Open D (D-A-D-F#-A-D).
- Vestapol name: “Vestapol” is a folk corruption of Sebastopol, referencing the Crimean War siege.
- Late 1800s Parlor era: Sebastopol and Worrall’s Spanish Fandango (Open G) circulated with tutors, joining Open D and Open G as the “standard” in open tunings.
- 1920s Blues & Gospel: Some slide guitar players adopt “Vestapol.”
- Blind Willie Johnson’s “Dark Was the Night” (1927) in Open D.
- 1950s Electric blues: Elmore James uses Open D/E in his slide style (Dust My Broom), influencing rock and blues for decades.
- Today: Open D remains a go-to tuning for blues, folk, slide, fingerstyle, etc.
I like Open G so much that I created a video course at Udemy called “Open G Guitar Tuning and 101 Blues Riffs.”
12 Must-Know Open D Progressions
It’s time to string together some chords and start learning the new chord transitions. Memory work and practice, it’s that simple.
The 12 chord progressions are based on popular songs you will likely know. You can try to emulate the song’s original rhythm or create your own strumming and fingerpicking patterns to the progressions below.
- Progression 1) Pop Anthem: D-A-Bm-G
- Progression 2) Modern Country/Pop: Bm-G-D-A
- Progression 3) Classic 1-4-5-4: D-G-A-G
- Progression 4) Country-rock Chorus: D-A-G-D
- Progression 5) Folk Gospel Loop: D-A-G-A
- Progression 6) 50’s Progression: D-Bm-G-A
- Progression 7) Smooth Bass Line: D-A/C#-Bm-G
- Progression 8) Folk Staple: D-G-D-A
- Progression 9) Hey Good Lookin’ Turnaround: D-E7-A-D-A7
- Progression 10) Sweet Home Alabama Mixolydian Vamp: D-C-G
- Progression 11) Hotel California Loop: Bm-F#7-A-E7-G-D-E7-F#
- Progression 12) Pachelbel’s Canon Open D Vamp: D-A-Bm-F#m-G-D-G-A
📥 Free Download: 12 Open D Progressions PDF
Fill in the fom below and grab the printable PDF with all chord diagrams + progressions. Immediate email. Privacy respected always!
FAQs
Q: What chords work best in Open D?
Start with D, G, A, Bm, Em, C (mixolydian).
Q: Is Open D good for slide?
Yes, it’s one of the most common slide tunings because of the open-chord slide barre.
Q: How do I use a capo in Open D?
Capo anywhere and keep the same shapes. Capo 2 = E, Capo 5 = G, Capo 7 = A.
Q: What’s the difference between Open D and Open E?
Same intervals. Open E is one whole step higher (E-B-E-G#-B-E).
Conclusion
Open D tuning is more than just a slide-guitar trick; it’s a full songwriting and arranging tool. With these 20 chords and 12 chord progressions, you’ve got the DNA of pop, folk, blues, rock, and classical music right under your fingers.
Next steps:
- Download the free PDF
- Watch the video demos
- Explore related lessons (Open D chords, 12-bar blues, Open D poster/book)
Written by Brent Robitaille — author of 50+ music instruction books, composer, and teacher specializing in open tunings and roots guitar styles.
5 Open D Tuning Songs(D-A-D-F#-A-D):
- “Big Yellow Taxi” by Joni Mitchell
- “She Talks to Angels” by The Black Crowes
- “The Cave” by Mumford & Sons
- “Loser” by Beck
- “Vasoline” by Stone Temple Pilots
Leave suggestions and comments below for more guitar lessons.
Open D Guitar Tuning Chord Poster
Open D Guitar Tuning Chord Poster – Designed by a Guitarist for a Guitarist
Includes a FREE instant bonus PDF: The Open D Chord Book (Over 20 pages of chord charts, diagrams, and shapes).
On the poster you’ll find:
- 108 chord diagrams across every key
- Major, minor, dominant 7, major 7, minor 7, 6th, augmented, diminished 7, and sus4 chords
- A complete Open D tuning fretboard map at the top
Printed on premium matte paper and shipped locally worldwide.
Classical Guitar Book in Open D Tuning
45 New Arrangments for Classical Guitar Players in Open D Tuning
• Tablature, Notation, Fingerings, and Performance Markings
• 24 of Giuliani’s right-hand technical exercises arranged for Open D
• Scales, arpeggios and chords to master the fingerboard
101 Blues Riffs and Solos in Open G Guitar Tuning DGDGBD
Master the Blues in Open G Guitar Tuning (DGDGBD). 101 Blues Riffs & Solos in Open G Guitar Tuning is the most complete book ever written exclusively for blues in DGDGBD tuning. It is suitable for beginners and intermediate guitarists and an excellent reference for advanced guitarists.
- Master the Blues in Open G Guitar Tuning DGDGBD
- Slide, Fingerstyle and Picking Riffs and Solos
- Traditional, Delta, Rock, Funk and Jazz Blues
- Extensive Scale, Chord, and Arpeggio Charts
- A Complete Course for Open G (DGDGBD)
- Audio Tracks Below
101 Blues Riffs and Solos in Open D Guitar Tuning
Take your Open D guitar playing to the next level with “101 Blues Riffs & Solos in Open D Guitar Tuning.” The most complete instructional book ever written exclusively in DADF#AD tuning. Using a combination of slide, fingerstyle and pick playing, you will cover all the bases needed to develop a solid technique in open D guitar. Everything you need to master the blues with essential lessons in DADF#AD guitar tuning!
Includes:
- Master the Blues in Open D Guitar Tuning
- Slide, Fingerstyle and Picking Riff and Solos
- Traditional, Delta, Rock, Funk and Jazz Blues
- Extensive Scale, Chord, and Arpeggio Charts
- A Complete Course for Open D (DADF#AD)
- Audio Tracks Bellow
Open G Guitar Chord Poster + Bonus PDF eBook
- 🎸 96 essential Open G chords (GBDGBD)
- 📍 Major, Minor, Dom7, m7, Maj6, Dim7, Aug
- 🎶 Full fretboard map up to 12th fret
- 📘 Bonus Blues eBook PDF with riffs & tabs
- 🖨️ Printed locally by Gelato (US, CA, UK, EU, AU)
Open G Tuning Celtic Guitar Flatpicking
Tuning your guitar to “Open G” (DGDGBD) compliments Celtic music brilliantly. Open tunings allow the strings to vibrate, creating drones and overlapped notes reminiscent of a harp or bagpipe.
Here’s what’s in the book:
- A good selection of well-known Celtic session tunes, including jigs, reels, hornpipes, waltzes and songs.
- Each tune shows notation, tablature and chords.
- Some tunes are arranged in the chord melody style (with pick), while the faster tunes just have the melody line with fingerings and articulations.
- Open G chord page with 96 of the most common chords
- Fingerboard charts, major and minor scales with standard and Campanella fingerings.
- Celtic strumming patterns in 4/4 and 6/8 time to become proficient at accompanying.
- A selection of audio tracks below.
Blues Guitar Poster – Chords, Scales & Fretboard Reference
Blues Guitar Poster – Designed by a Blues Guitarist
Includes a FREE instant bonus PDF: Daily Blues Guitar Warmup with chord progressions, arpeggio workouts, fretboard diagrams, and moveable scale shapes.
On the poster you’ll find:
- 60 essential blues chords
- 25 must-know scales (blues, pentatonic, mixolydian)
- Complete fretboard map across 12 frets
- Arpeggio diagrams (dominant 7 and minor 7)
- Four common blues chord progressions
Printed on premium matte paper and shipped locally worldwide.