I-IV-V (the Three Chord Trick)
I · IV · V
The most fundamental progression in Western music.
Key of D
The Key of D Major
The chords in the key of D major are D, Em, F♯m, G, A, Bm and C♯dim.
The fiddle-tune key.
Below: all seven diatonic chords with guitar shapes and audio, the scale, the key signature (F♯ · C♯), 8 progressions already transposed into this key, and the keys next door.
Diatonic chords
The 7 chords in the key of D major
Each degree of the D major scale carries one chord. Roman numerals show the degree; the function column tells you what the chord does. Every name links to its full chord page — press play to hear it on guitar.
| Degree | Function | Chord | Guitar shape | Hear it |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| I | TonicTonicHome — rests | DD · F♯ · A | ||
| ii | SubdominantSupertonicDeparts — sets up the V | EmE · G · B | ||
| iii | TonicMediantHome — rests | F♯mF♯ · A · C♯ | ||
| IV | SubdominantSubdominantDeparts — sets up the V | GG · B · D | ||
| V | DominantDominantPulls back to I | AA · C♯ · E | ||
| vi | TonicSubmediantHome — rests | BmB · D · F♯ | ||
| vii° | DominantLeading tonePulls back to I | C♯dimC♯ · E · G |
Want the same chords on another instrument? Every chord page carries piano, ukulele, bass, mandolin and banjo shapes — start with piano.
Character
Why songs live in D major
D major is the session key. On violin, mandolin and guitar the open D and A strings are the tonic and the dominant, so the instrument reinforces the key for free — which is why Irish, old-time and bluegrass repertoire clusters here. D, G, A and Em are open shapes; only Bm asks for a barre.
Scale
The D major scale
Seven notes, in order from the tonic. Tap any note to hear it, or play the whole scale ascending.
Fretboard patterns and full scale reference: D Major (Ionian).
Key signature
The D major key signature
F♯ · C♯
D major is written with 2 sharps. Every F and C in the music is played sharp unless an accidental says otherwise. Its relative minor, B minor, shares this signature exactly.
Progressions
Chord progressions in D major
The most-used progressions, already transposed into D major. Every chord links to its own page; the progression name opens the full breakdown.
I-V-vi-IV (the Pop Punk Progression)
I · V · vi · IV
The 4-chord pop progression that powers thousands of hits.
vi-IV-I-V (Sensitive Female)
vi · IV · I · V
The minor-flavored sibling of I-V-vi-IV.
I-vi-IV-V (the Doo-Wop)
I · vi · IV · V
The 1950s ballad backbone.
I-IV-I-V
I · IV · I · V
Classic 4-bar phrase with a leading-tone pull on bar 4.
I-♭VII-IV (Mixolydian Rock)
I · ♭VII · IV
Mixolydian flavor; classic rock pull.
12-Bar Blues
I · I · I · I · IV · IV · I · I · V · IV · I · V
The defining blues form. 4 bars I, 2 bars IV, 2 bars I, 1 bar V, 1 bar IV, 1 bar I, 1 bar V (turnaround).
8-Bar Blues
I · V · IV · IV · I · V · I · V
Compressed blues form.
FAQ
Questions about the key of D major
- What chords are in the key of D major?
- The key of D major contains seven diatonic chords: D (I), Em (ii), F#m (iii), G (IV), A (V), Bm (vi), C#dim (vii°). Most songs in D major lean on D, G and A — the tonic, subdominant and dominant.
- What is the relative minor of D major?
- B minor is the relative minor of D major. Both keys share the same key signature (2 sharps) and exactly the same seven notes — B minor simply treats B as home instead of D, which is why you can borrow chords freely between them.
- What are the easiest chords in D major to play on guitar?
- D, Em, G and A are the open shapes in D major — no barre required. The rest of the diatonic chords need a barre or a movable grip, so many players capo instead and use familiar open shapes from an easier key.
Learn the theory
Read up on D major
This page is the reference. These are the guides that explain how a key works in the first place — read one and the table above stops needing to be looked up.