What does d5 mean on bass guitar?

Answer 1

5 just means the fifth note in the scale. So count up five from D and you get A. So D5 just means to play D and A together. C5 would mean to play C and G together, B5 would mean to play B and F together....and on and on and on :) pretty simple, huh?

Answer 2

Fifth fret D string. That's the third one from the top if you're playing a four-string.