transpose.siteChords in the key of D (D major)
Songs in D use the seven notes of the D major scale: D E F♯ G A B C♯. The key signature has 2 (F♯ C♯). The seven chords built on these notes are the ones you will meet most in D.
Diatonic chords in D
| Degree | I | ii | iii | IV | V | vi | vii° |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Triad | D | Em | F♯m | G | A | Bm | C♯dim |
| Seventh | Dmaj7 | Em7 | F♯m7 | Gmaj7 | A7 | Bm7 | C♯m7(♭5) |
| Role | tonic (home) | subdominant side | tonic substitute | subdominant | dominant (tension) | tonic substitute, relative minor | dominant substitute |
I
ii
iii
IV
V
vi
Common progressions in D
- D – A – Bm – G (I – V – vi – IV, the most common pop progression)
- D – Bm – G – A (I – vi – IV – V, the '50s progression, ballads)
- Bm – G – D – A (vi – IV – I – V, the same four chords with a minor feel)
- Em – A – D (ii – V – I, the classic jazz and ballad cadence)
- D – G – A (I – IV – V, rock and blues basics)
Playing in D with a capo
D is an easy key you can play with open chords. Other ways:
- Capo on fret 2 + play C shapes (chords in C)
- Capo on fret 5 + play A shapes (chords in A)
- Capo on fret 7 + play G shapes (chords in G)
To move a whole PDF score to an easier key, open it in the free PDF transposer: chords and TAB change together.
Relative minor: B minor
B minor (Bm) uses the same seven notes as D major. If a song starts and ends on Bm, it is in B minor.
Chords in B minor: i Bm · ii° C♯dim · III D · iv Em · v F♯m · VI G · VII A (F♯7 is common in place of v)
- Bm – G – D – A (i – VI – III – VII, minor-key rock and ballads)
- Bm – Em – F♯m – Bm (i – iv – v – i, minor-key basics (V7 often replaces v))
- Bm – A – G – A (i – VII – VI – VII, a rock riff progression)