D major (D) is a three-note chord: D, F♯ and A. F♯ is a black key; the other notes are white keys. On the keyboard above, the chord is lit starting in the octave of middle C, and Play chord lets you hear it.
How to find D on the keyboard
- D is the white key between the two black keys of a pair.
- F♯ is the first black key of a group of three.
- A is the white key between the second and third of the three black keys.
Fingering
In root position, play D with the right hand using fingers 1, 3 and 5 (thumb, middle finger and little finger); with the left hand, use 5, 3 and 1. Keep your wrist level and your fingers curved, and press the keys at the same moment so the chord sounds as one.
Inversions
The same notes can be stacked in a different order. Each inversion moves the lowest note up an octave.
- Root position, the root in the bass: D – F♯ – A. Right hand 1-3-5, left hand 5-3-1.
- First inversion, F♯ in the bass: F♯ – A – D. Right hand 1-2-5, left hand 5-3-1.
- Second inversion, A in the bass: A – D – F♯. Right hand 1-3-5, left hand 5-2-1.
Chords that sit next to each other in a key often share one or two notes, so choosing the right inversion can keep your hand almost still when the chord changes.
How D is built
D has a root, a major third four half steps above it (F♯) and a perfect fifth seven half steps above the root (A). Between D and F♯ are four half steps, and between F♯ and A three. That order, the larger third at the bottom, is what makes the chord sound major: bright and settled. Swap the thirds and you get D minor, D, F and A, with the middle note one key lower.
Keys that use D
D belongs to these keys (the roman numeral shows its place in each):
- I in D major
- IV in A major
- V in G major
- III in B minor
- VI in F♯ minor
- VII in E minor
Progressions to try
- I – IV – V – I in D major: D – G – A – D, the backbone of countless folk songs, hymns and blues.
- I – V – vi – IV: D – A – Bm – G, the four-chord loop behind a great many pop songs.
- I – vi – IV – V: D – Bm – G – A, often called the 1950s progression.
Play each chord for four beats and repeat the loop. The chord finder shows every chord in these progressions.
Frequently asked questions
What notes are in the D major chord?
D major (D) is D, F# and A. F# is a black key.
How do you play D on the piano?
Put your right thumb on D and play F# with your middle finger and A with your little finger, pressing all the keys together. With the left hand, use fingers 5, 3 and 1.
What are the inversions of D?
First inversion: F# A D; Second inversion: A D F#. Each keeps the same notes and moves the lowest one to the top.
What is the relative minor of D major?
B minor. Its root is three half steps below D, and the two keys share the same key signature.
Which keys contain the D major chord?
D major (as I), A major (as IV), G major (as V), B minor (as III), F# minor (as VI), E minor (as VII).