Musical key

Key of D Major

D Major is a major key with 2 sharps (F♯, C♯). Its scale is D – E – F♯ – G – A – B – C♯, and its relative minor is B Minor.

Key signature

2 sharps (F♯, C♯).

F♯
C♯

D Major scale: D – E – F♯ – G – A – B – C♯

Relative and parallel keys

Relative minor: B Minor — same key signature, different home note.

Parallel key: D Minor — same home note, different key signature.

D

E

G

A

B

F♯

C♯

Chords in D Major

Every major key has the same pattern: major chords on I, IV and V, minor chords on ii, iii and vi, and a diminished chord on vii°.

Degree	Triads	Notes	7th chords
I	D	D F♯ A	Imaj7Dmaj7
ii	Em	E G B	ii7Em7
iii	F♯m	F♯ A C♯	iii7F♯m7
IV	G	G B D	IVmaj7Gmaj7
V	A	A C♯ E	V7A7
vi	Bm	B D F♯	vi7Bm7
vii°	C♯dim	C♯ E G	viiø7C♯m7♭5

Common chord progressions in D Major

Click a chord to see it, or press play to hear the progression.

Pop progression
I – V – vi – IV
1. D
2. A
3. Bm
4. G
The four chords behind countless pop hits.
Three-chord classic
Vibe: Exciting
I – IV – V – I
1. D
2. G
3. A
4. D
Tonic, subdominant, dominant — the backbone of rock 'n' roll, folk and blues.
50s progression
Vibe: Nostalgic
I – vi – IV – V
1. D
2. Bm
3. G
4. A
The doo-wop and ballad loop — warm and nostalgic.
Emotional pop
Vibe: Sad
vi – IV – I – V
1. Bm
2. G
3. D
4. A
The pop progression started on vi for a more wistful feel.
Jazz ii–V–I
Vibe: Romantic
ii7 – V7 – Imaj7
1. Em7
2. A7
3. Dmaj7
The most important cadence in jazz.
Romantic 7ths
Vibe: Romantic
Imaj7 – vi7 – IVmaj7 – V7
1. Dmaj7
2. Bm7
3. Gmaj7
4. A7
Smooth seventh chords for ballads and late-night jazz.

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