[hb]

After spending time trying to play songs that want a 'D' for chord tone and needing melody lines in the middle 'C' to around the 'A' note (third string-second fret), I realized that the 'D' chord is always taught to be played on the four highest strings. (speaking strictly about the zone of the first 4 frets or so). So I'm constantly looking for a note or two that fit a 'D' chord on the lowest 2 strings which brings me to a question I have wondered about for some time. Why isn't a lower 'D' chord taught in the guitar world that has an underlying tone for low melody notes. All the other chords are involved in this theory. I'm not argueing the theory, just curios.
thanks,
hb

[Fretsource]

D is first taught as a 4 string shape because it's easy for beginners to play. Later it can also be learned as the C shape, X54232, which is a lot more difficult to hold.
It can also be played with chord notes other than the root in the bass as:
X00232
254232
200232 (with thumb over neck)
And many other shapes further up the neck

[The Ethical]

The main reason for the four string D chord is that it's a moveable chord shape with its root on the fourth string in the same way that the E & G chord shapes are moveable and have their roots on the sixth string; A & C are moveable and have their roots on the fifth string.

Hope this helps.

[carol m]

Don't forget you can use Drop D tuning. Kirk has quite a few lessons using this tuning in his lessons eg Gift from Heaven, Open Air, Tambourine Man and 4+20 among others.