D Major: Scale, Chords and Progressions

Chords in the key of D major

The key of D major has 2 sharps in the key signature (F♯, C♯). Its scale is D – E – F♯ – G – A – B – C♯ and its seven chords are D, Em, F♯m, G, A, Bm and C♯dim. The most common progression is D – A – Bm – G. Its relative key is B minor. With a capo on fret 2, you can play it with the shapes of C major.

The chords in the key

D is home; G and A create the movement and tension that lead back to it, and Bm adds the minor colour. The four-note versions add the seventh.

Degree	Chord	Notes	Role	With seventh
I	D	D – F♯ – A	Tonic: home	Dmaj7
ii	Em	E – G – B	Subdominant	Em7
iii	F♯m	F♯ – A – C♯	Tonic substitute	F♯m7
IV	G	G – B – D	Subdominant	Gmaj7
V	A	A – C♯ – E	Dominant: tension	A7
vi	Bm	B – D – F♯	Relative tonic	Bm7
vii°	C♯dim	C♯ – E – G	Dominant (leading tone)	—

Scale

D – E – F♯ – G – A – B – C♯

With a capo

To make a song sound in D major with easy open shapes:

Capo on fret 2: play the shapes of C major
Capo on fret 5: play the shapes of A major
Capo on fret 7: play the shapes of G major

Common progressions

Loop them in the chord player and use them as the base of a song.

D – A – Bm – G I – V – vi – IV Play in the chord player
D – Bm – G – A I – vi – IV – V Play in the chord player
Em7 – A7 – Dmaj7 – Dmaj7 ii7 – V7 – Imaj7 – Imaj7 Play in the chord player
D – G – A – D I – IV – V – I Play in the chord player

Frequently asked questions

What chords are in the key of D major?

Its seven chords are D, Em, F♯m, G, A, Bm and C♯dim.

How many sharps or flats does D major have?

It has 2 sharps in the key signature (F♯, C♯).

What is the relative key of D major?

Its relative key is B minor: they share the same notes and chords.