D major chord (D)
The D major chord (D) is a major triad made of D, F♯ and A: root, major third and perfect fifth.
It is the I in D major and the IV in A major; its relative minor is B minor, and A dominant seventh leads into it as its V7.
Below: voicings, notes on the fretboard, ukulele, piano, inversions and progressions.
How to play D major on guitar
There are 3 guitar voicings.
Frets from the 6th string to the 1st: x = not played, 0 = open string.
- Voicing 1: x-x-0-2-3-2, open position, with D in the bass (fingers x-x-0-1-3-2).
- Voicing 2: x-5-7-7-7-5, barre at fret 5, with D in the bass (fingers x-1-3-3-3-1).
- Voicing 3: 10-12-12-11-10-10, movable E-shape barre chord at fret 10, with D in the bass.
Notes of the D major chord on the fretboard
D major has 3 notes: D, F♯ and A. This is where they fall on each string, from the nut to the 12th fret (fret number in parentheses):
- String 6 (E): F♯ (2) · A (5) · D (10)
- String 5 (A): A (0) · D (5) · F♯ (9) · A (12)
- String 4 (D): D (0) · F♯ (4) · A (7) · D (12)
- String 3 (G): A (2) · D (7) · F♯ (11)
- String 2 (B): D (3) · F♯ (7) · A (10)
- String 1 (E): F♯ (2) · A (5) · D (10)
Formula and intervals of D major
Its formula is 1-3-5; in semitones from the root, 0-4-7.
- D: Root, the note that gives the chord its name
- F♯: Major third (M3), 4 semitones above D
- A: Perfect fifth (P5), 7 semitones above D
D major on ukulele
- Ukulele (G C E A): 2-2-2-0; it sounds A, D, F♯ and A.
D major on piano
- Keys: D4, F♯4 and A4.
Inversions of D major
Each inversion puts a different note in the bass.
- Root position: D, F♯ and A, with D in the bass.
- First inversion (D/F♯): F♯, A and D, with F♯ in the bass.
- Second inversion (D/A): A, D and F♯, with A in the bass.
Keys that use D major
D major appears in 7 major and minor keys.
| Key | Degree | Function |
|---|---|---|
| D major (2 sharps) | I | Tonic |
| A major (3 sharps) | IV | Subdominant |
| G major (1 sharp) | V | Dominant |
| B minor (2 sharps) | III | Mediant |
| F♯ minor (3 sharps) | VI | Submediant |
| E minor (1 sharp) | VII | Subtonic |
| G minor (harmonic minor, 2 flats) | V | Dominant |
Progressions with D major
- Pop progression in D major (I–V–vi–IV): D – A – Bm – G
- Pop progression starting on vi in D major (vi–IV–I–V): Bm – G – D – A
- Three-chord progression in D major (I–IV–V): D – G – A
- Turnaround in D major (I–vi–ii–V): D – Bm – Em – A
- Minor pop progression in F♯ minor (i–VI–III–VII): F♯m – D – A – E
Frequently asked questions
What notes are in the D major chord?
D, F♯ and A: root, major third and perfect fifth. Its formula is 1-3-5.
Which keys use D major?
Mainly as the I in D major and the IV in A major. In total it appears in 7 major and minor keys.
What is the relative minor of D major?
B minor. D major and B minor are the tonic chords of two relative keys, which share the same key signature and the same scale notes.