Chords in the Key of D (2 sharps)
D is the fiddle key. D, G, A with open strings helping everywhere, plus Bm when the song turns over. Old-time, bluegrass, and half the country songbook sit in D.
The seven chords
| Degree | Chord | Quality |
|---|---|---|
| I | D | major |
| ii | Em | minor |
| iii | F♯m | minor |
| IV | G | major |
| V | A | major |
| vi | Bm | minor |
| vii° | C♯ dim | diminished |
D, G, and A are the majors, Em, F♯m, and Bm the minors, and C♯ diminished gets skipped by most guitar arrangements. Plenty of songs in D never leave D, G, A, and Bm.
Common progressions
D, G, A. The I, IV, V, and the whole three-chord songbook with it.
D, A, Bm, G. The four-chord pop axis. Several decades of hits use exactly this.
Scales to solo with
D major pentatonic is the lead scale for the major-key sound. B minor pentatonic is the same five notes from the relative minor side.
Keep exploring
Relative minor
Parallel minor
Neighbor keys, one accidental away
Key of D FAQ
What chords are in the key of D?
D, Em, F♯m, G, A, Bm, and C♯ diminished. The I, IV, and V are D, G, and A, and the relative minor is Bm.
What is the relative minor of D major?
B minor. Same key signature, same seven chords, with Bm treated as home.
How many sharps or flats does the key of D have?
2 sharps, F♯ and C♯.