Key

The key of D major · 2 sharps: F♯ C♯

Major keys sound bright and settled. The I, IV and V chords do most of the work; the minor ii, iii and vi add color.

Relative minor: B minor — the same notes and key signature. Parallel minor: D minor. Scale: D major scale.

Notes in the key

DEF♯GABC♯

Chords in D major

One chord on each note of the scale. Roman numerals show each chord’s position — uppercase for major, lowercase for minor.

Left-handed

I D

D F♯ A

ii Em

E G B

iii F♯m

F♯ A C♯

IV G

G B D

V A

A C♯ E

vi Bm

B D F♯

vii° C♯dim

C♯ E G

Common progressions in D major

The pop progression I–V–vi–IV D – A – Bm – G Three-chord rock I–IV–V–IV D – G – A – G The ’50s progression I–vi–IV–V D – Bm – G – A The minor-feel pop progression vi–IV–I–V Bm – G – D – A The 12-bar blues 12-bar blues D7 – G7 – A7 The jazz cadence ii–V–I Em7 – A7 – Dmaj7 The turnaround I–vi–ii–V D – Bm – Em – A Pachelbel’s Canon I–V–vi–iii–IV–I–IV–V D – A – Bm – F♯m – G – D – G – A The Mixolydian rock progression I–♭VII–IV–I D – C – G – D

Circle of fifths

Each step clockwise adds a sharp (or removes a flat). Neighbors on the circle share all but one note, so D major’s closest keys are right next to it — and its relative minor sits on the inner ring. Click any key to open it.