Chords in the key of D major
The key of D major has the notes D, E, F♯, G, A, B, and C♯ and the chords D, Em, F♯m, G, A, Bm, and C♯°. As seventh chords: D7M, Em7, F♯m7, G7M, A7, Bm7, and C♯m7(♭5). Key signature: 2 sharps (F♯, C♯). Relative minor: B minor.
- D
- E
- F♯
- G
- A
- B
- C♯
Chords in D major
| Degree | Triad | Seventh chord | Function |
|---|---|---|---|
| I | D | D7M | tonic |
| ii | Em | Em7 | subdominant |
| iii | F♯m | F♯m7 | tonic |
| IV | G | G7M | subdominant |
| V | A | A7 | dominant |
| vi | Bm | Bm7 | tonic |
| vii° | C♯° | C♯m7(♭5) | dominant |
Each chord in the table opens its guitar page, with the diagram and the sound.
The chords of D major on the piano
What each chord does
Tonic (D, F♯m, and Bm) feels at rest; subdominant (Em and G) moves away from home; dominant (A and C♯°) builds tension and wants to go back to D.
Common progressions in D major
Listen to each one and open it in the backing track to play along.
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The pop progression
I–V–vi–IVThe most used sequence in pop and country: it works under almost any melody.
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50s progression
I–vi–IV–VThe "doo-wop": from 1950s ballads to today's romantic pop.
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Jazz IIm–V–I
ii7–V7–Imaj7The most important cadence in jazz and bossa nova.
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The three chords
I–IV–VI–IV–V: the foundation of rock, blues, country and folk.
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Sentimental pop
vi–IV–I–VThe pop progression starting on the relative minor: emotional, chorus-ready.
Relative and parallel keys
Relative minor: B minor. Both scales have the same notes and the same key signature (2 sharps (F♯, C♯)).
Parallel key: D minor, with the same tonic and the other mode. Switching between them mid-song changes the mood without moving the home note.
Neighbours on the circle of fifths: G major (a fifth below) and A major (a fifth above). Modulating to them sounds natural.
Circle of fifths
D major is highlighted. Clockwise, each step goes up a fifth and adds a sharp; counter-clockwise, a flat. The relative minors are on the inside. Tap a key to see its chords.
Scales and tools for D major
Chords in other keys
Major keys
Minor keys
Frequently asked questions
What chords are in the key of D major?
D, Em, F♯m, G, A, Bm, and C♯°. As seventh chords: D7M, Em7, F♯m7, G7M, A7, Bm7, and C♯m7(♭5).
What is the relative of D major?
B minor. Both scales have the same notes and the same key signature: 2 sharps (F♯, C♯).
What is the key signature of D major?
D major has 2 sharps (F♯, C♯) in its key signature.
What is the dominant chord in D major?
It is A (or A7 with the seventh), the V chord. It builds tension and resolves to D, the tonic.
What chord progressions work in D major?
The most common: I–V–vi–IV: D A Bm G; I–vi–IV–V: D Bm G A; ii7–V7–Imaj7: Em7 A7 D7M; I–IV–V: D G A; vi–IV–I–V: Bm G D A.