The A-D change is two open chords played one after the other

The A chord and the D chord are the two most common open chords on guitar after E major. Playing them back-to-back — the A-D change — is the foundation for hundreds of songs. You'll use this change in folk, country, rock, and pop music. The good news is that both chords sit in the same part of the fretboard and share one finger position, which makes switching between them faster than it sounds.

This guide shows you how to finger each chord, how to move between them smoothly, and how to practice the change until your hands do it without thinking.

Key Takeaways

  • The A chord uses three fingers on the second fret across three strings; the D chord uses three fingers on the second and third frets across three different strings.
  • Both chords are played on the top four strings of the guitar, leaving the low E and B strings open or muted.
  • The middle finger stays in roughly the same spot when you switch from A to D, which is the fastest path between the two chords.
  • Switching cleanly takes 30 to 60 seconds of daily practice; the goal is to move both hands at the same time so no strings ring out during the change.

How to finger the A chord

Place your index finger on the first fret of the D string (the fourth string from the top). Place your middle finger on the second fret of the G string (the third string). Place your ring finger on the second fret of the B string (the second string). Strum only the top four strings — skip the low E string and the high e string. The A string itself (the fifth string) rings open and is part of the chord.

Check that each note rings clearly. If a string sounds muted or dead, your finger is probably touching an adjacent string. Adjust your finger angle so the tips press down and the sides stay clear of other strings. Your thumb should sit behind the neck, roughly opposite your middle finger.

How to finger the D chord

Place your index finger on the first fret of the high e string (the thinnest string at the top). Place your middle finger on the second fret of the G string (the same string as in the A chord). Place your ring finger on the third fret of the B string (one fret lower than in the A chord). Strum only the top four strings, starting from the D string — do not strum the A string or the low E string.

The D chord is narrower than the A chord because you only use four strings instead of five. Your middle finger stays on the G string in both chords, so that finger barely moves when you switch. This shared anchor point is what makes the A-D change fast.

Moving from A to D smoothly

The key to a clean change is moving both hands at the same time. Your fretting hand (left hand, if you're right-handed) lifts all three fingers off the fretboard at once. At the same moment, your strumming hand stops playing. Then your fretting hand lands in the D position. Finally, your strumming hand plays the new chord.

Do not lift one finger at a time or play the A chord while your hand is halfway to D. That creates noise and breaks the rhythm. Think of it as a single motion: lift, move, land, strum. Your middle finger on the G string should land first because it doesn't move much; your index and ring fingers follow into their new positions.

Practice the change slowly at first — one change every two or three seconds. Once you can do it cleanly at that speed, gradually play the changes faster. A metronome set to 60 beats per minute, with one change per beat, is a good target. When you can hit that, you're ready to use the change in real songs.

Common mistakes and how to fix them

The most common mistake is lifting your fingers one at a time instead of all together. This creates a moment where some strings ring open and some are muted, which sounds sloppy. Fix this by consciously lifting all three fingers as a unit, like you're picking up a small object with your whole hand.

The second mistake is not moving your strumming hand at the same time. If your fretting hand moves but your strumming hand keeps playing, you'll hear a mess of open strings. Practice the change without the guitar first: move your fretting hand and your strumming hand in sync, as if you're playing, but don't actually touch the strings. This trains the coordination.

The third mistake is pressing too hard. Beginners often squeeze the fretboard, which tires the hand and slows the change. Press just hard enough for the note to ring clearly — usually much lighter than it feels like you need.

Practice routine for the A-D change

Spend five minutes a day on this change. Start by playing the A chord four times, then switch to the D chord and play it four times. Then alternate: A, D, A, D, with four strums of each. Once that feels smooth, play two strums of each chord, then one strum of each. Finally, play the change on every beat of a metronome set to 60 BPM.

When you can play the change cleanly at 60 BPM, increase the tempo by 10 BPM and repeat. Most players can play the A-D change at 120 BPM (a normal song speed) within a week of daily practice. The change will feel automatic after two weeks.

Songs that use the A-D change

"Knockin' on Heaven's Door" by Bob Dylan uses A and D as the main chords. "Brown Eyed Girl" by Van Morrison is A-D-A-D throughout the verse. "Horse with No Name" by America uses A and D in a repeating pattern. "Wonderwall" by Oasis uses these chords as part of its progression. Learning the A-D change on one of these songs makes the practice feel purposeful instead of mechanical.

Once you're comfortable with A and D, adding an E chord creates the A-D-E progression, which is one of the most common three-chord shapes in popular music. The E chord uses the same finger pattern as A and D, so the skills transfer directly.

Frequently Asked Questions

Do I have to use open chords, or can I play A and D as barre chords?

Open chords are easier to learn and sound better for most songs. Barre chords (where one finger presses multiple strings across a single fret) are harder on the hand and unnecessary for the A-D change. Learn the open versions first. You can add barre chords later if you want to play songs that require them.

Why does my A chord sound muted on some strings?

Your fingers are probably touching strings they shouldn't. Press the tips of your fingers down, not the pads. Angle your fingers so they stand up more steeply. If one string still sounds dead, move that finger slightly until the string rings. It usually takes small adjustments.

How fast should I be able to switch between A and D?

At first, aim for one change every two seconds. Once you're comfortable, a change per second is a good target. Most songs use the A-D change at a tempo where you have about half a second to switch, so that's the speed to work toward. Don't rush — clean changes at a slow tempo are better than sloppy changes at a fast one.

Can I play A and D chords on different strings?

There are other ways to finger these chords higher up the fretboard using barre chords, but the open versions shown here are the standard and the easiest. Stick with the open positions unless a specific song requires a different voicing.