The notes in the key of D major are D, E, F#, G, A, B, and C#.
When assembled sequentially the notes form the D major Scale.
The Sound of D Major
One interesting aspect of the key of D major is its historical significance and association with certain types of instruments. In the Baroque period (1600-1750) D major was often considered a “hunting key” due to its bright and celebratory sound, making it well-suited for outdoor and festive music.
Furthermore, the key of D major is well-suited to fingerstyle playing, where you use your fingers to pluck the strings individually. The open strings and finger placements within the D major scale allow for intricate and melodic fingerpicking patterns, especially if playing in drop D tuning. This makes D major a favorite key for guitarists who enjoy creating rich, layered, and melodious arrangements using fingerstyle techniques.
The D Major Scale Step Pattern
The D major scale, like all major scales follows the pattern of whole steps and half steps irrespective of the key: whole, half, whole, whole, whole, half.
The step pattern for the D major scale begins on the root note D and then follows this pattern of whole (E), whole (F#), half (G), whole (A), whole (B, whole C#), half (D).
Playing The D Major Scale
The root D note can be found on the 10th fret of the 6th (E) string. If you are familiar with the CAGED system, One way to play this scale is to use the caged E shape scale pattern below.
Keep in mind, that there are many ways to play scales, this is just one example.
Chords In The Key Of D Major
All chords constructed from major scales follow the pattern of:
Major, minor, minor, Major, Major, minor, Diminished.
| Maj | min | min | Maj | Maj | min | Dim |
| D | e | f# | G | A | b | C# |
*There are many different ways to play the chords above, the examples above are some of the easier voicings for each.
7th Chords in D Major
7th chords can be used in place of triads (major, minor, augmented, and diminished). They add richness, complexity, and depth to music by introducing additional harmonic flavors and tension. In the key of D major, we have the following 7th chords:
| Chord | Notes |
| D Major 7 | D, F#, A, C# |
| E minor 7 | E, G, B, D |
| F# minor 7 | F#, A, C#, E |
| G Major 7 | G, B, D, F# |
| A Dominant 7 (Ab7) | A, C#, E, G |
| B minor 7 | B, D, F#, A |
| C# Half-Diminished 7 (Minor 7 Flat 5) | C#, E, G, B |
You can read more about 7th chords and how to apply them here.
Chord Function
Chords play roles within given keys due to the interplay between the notes that make up the chords, creating and resolving tension that gives rise to interesting, and pleasing chord progressions.
For example, the V chord, or dominant chord (Amaj) plays an important role in this regard, due to its inherent instability which introduces tension that pulls us strongly back to the tonic chord (Dmaj) to resolve.
| Tonic | Supertonic | Mediant | Subdominant | Dominant | Submediant | Subtonic |
| I | ii | iii | IV | V | vi | vii° |
| Dmaj | emin | f#min | Gmaj | Amaj | bmin | C#dim |
You can read more about chord function and the relationship between chords here.
Common Chord Progressions In D Major
| I – V – vi – IV | Dmaj – Amaj – bmin – Gmaj |
| I – IV – V | Dmaj – Gmaj – Amaj |
| I – vi – IV – V | Dmaj – bmin – Gmaj – Amaj |
| I – IV – vi – V | Dmaj – Gmaj – bmin – Amaj |
| I – V – vi – iii – IV | Dmaj – Amaj – bmin – f#min – Gmaj |
Relative Minor
The relative minor key to D major is B minor. B minor contains the same notes as D major, however, the sequence of notes begins on the 6th scale degree.
B minor
| 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | 5 | 6 | 7 |
| B | C# | D | E | F# | G | A |
Resources
- PDF download showing the notes, scales, and chords in the key of D major.
- Learn how to read chord charts
- Learn how to read guitar tab
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