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Circle of fifths

Key of D major

Key signature: 2 sharps (F♯, C♯). Scale: D, E, F♯, G, A, B, C♯. Chords: D, Em, F♯m, G, A, Bm, C♯dim.

Chords in D major

Each scale degree has a triad and a four-note seventh chord. Tap a chord for the guitar shape.

IDDmaj7iiEmEm7iiiF♯mF♯m7IVGGmaj7VAA7viBmBm7vii°C♯dimC♯m7b5

Capo tip: on guitar, put a capo on fret 7 and play the shapes of G major – then 4 of the main chords are easy open shapes (3 without a capo).

The D major scale

DIEiiF♯iiiGIVAVBviC♯vii°
D major scale on pianoDEGABDEGABC♯F♯C♯F♯
D major scale on the guitar fretboardEF♯GABC♯DEABC♯DEF♯GADEF♯GABC♯DGABC♯DEF♯GBC♯DEF♯GABEF♯GABC♯DE357912

Full scale page and other scales from this note →

Related keys

Relative minorB minorsame key signatureParallel minorD minorsame tonicA fifth upA majorone more sharpA fifth downG majorone more flat

Common progressions in D major

ProgressionChordsGenerator
Pop progression (Axis)D – A – Bm – GOpen in generator
Sensitive pop (vi–IV–I–V)Bm – G – D – AOpen in generator
’50s progression (doo-wop)D – Bm – G – AOpen in generator
Royal road (J-pop)Gmaj7 – A7 – F♯m7 – Bm7Open in generator
Canon progressionD – A – Bm – F♯m – G – D – G – AOpen in generator
Circle-of-fifths progressionD – G – C♯dim – F♯m – Bm – Em – A – DOpen in generator
Authentic cadence (I–IV–V–I)D – G – A – DOpen in generator
Folk and countryD – D – G – D – D – G – A – DOpen in generator
ii–V–I (jazz)Em7 – A7 – Dmaj7 – Dmaj7Open in generator
Turnaround (I–vi–ii–V)Dmaj7 – Bm7 – Em7 – A7Open in generator
12-bar bluesD7 – D7 – D7 – D7 – G7 – G7 – D7 – D7 – A7 – G7 – D7 – A7Open in generator
12-bar blues, quick changeD7 – G7 – D7 – D7 – G7 – G7 – D7 – D7 – A7 – G7 – D7 – A7Open in generator
Three-chord punkD5 – D5 – G5 – A5Open in generator
Mixolydian rock (I–♭VII–IV)D – C – G – DOpen in generator
♭VI–♭VII–I (victory cadence)D – B♭ – C – DOpen in generator
Major-to-minor IV (I–iii–IV–iv)D – F♯m – G – GmOpen in generator

Major keys

Minor keys

Frequently asked questions

How many sharps or flats are in D major?

D major has 2 sharps (F♯, C♯). Its relative minor is B minor, with the same key signature.

What chords are in the key of D major?

The triads built on the scale degrees: D, Em, F♯m, G, A, Bm, C♯dim. The main chords used most often: D, G, A, Bm.

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Photos: Isak Photography, 42 North, Rachel Loughman, Vitaly Gariev, Vitaly Gariev, Isaac Martin / Unsplash