How To Train Your Dragon Chord: A Guide for Guitar and Piano Players

If you’ve ever watched the How To Train Your Dragon films, you know the music is as adventurous as the story itself. The main theme, composed by John Powell, is a favorite among musicians looking for a cinematic piece that works well on both guitar and piano. This article breaks down the essential chord, explains how to play it in different arrangements, and points you to free sheet music and tabs so you can start practicing right away.

Understanding the Core Chord

The signature chord that defines the How To Train Your Dragon theme is a suspended‑fourth (sus4) built on the key of D minor. In its simplest form, the chord is written:

This movement from sus4 to minor creates the tension‑release feeling that mirrors the film’s soaring dragons and heroic moments. When played on guitar, the chord can be voiced in open position for a warm, resonant tone, while on piano it offers a rich, full‑bodied sound.

Playing the Chord on Guitar

Open‑Position Shape

One of the easiest ways to play the D sus4 chord on guitar is using an open‑position shape:

  1. Place your index finger on the 2nd fret of the G (3rd) string.
  2. Place your middle finger on the 2nd fret of the high E (1st) string.
  3. Leave the D (4th) string open.
  4. Strum from the D string down to the high E string.

This shape produces the notes D–G–A, exactly matching the suspended‑fourth. To resolve, simply move your middle finger to the 1st fret (F) while keeping the index finger on the G string, turning the chord into D minor.

Fingerstyle Tips

For an authentic cinematic feel, try a fingerstyle pattern that emphasizes the bass note on the beat and adds a gentle arpeggio on the higher strings. A simple pattern could be:

Repeating this pattern creates a flowing texture that mirrors the film’s sweeping aerial scenes.

Translating the Chord to Piano

Basic Hand Position

On piano, the D