D Major Scale, Chords & Songs

The D Major scale

The D Major scale contains seven notes: D – E – F# – G – A – B – C#. Key signature: 2 sharps (F♯, C♯).

All notes in the D Major scale highlighted on the keyboard.

Diatonic chords in D Major

These seven chords are built on each scale degree. They're the natural chord palette for songs in D Major — most pop progressions like I-V-vi-IV use only these.

Quick facts

Key signature

2 sharps (F♯, C♯)

Relative minor

B minor

Difficulty on piano

Intermediate — 2 sharps, common pop key.

Songs in our catalog

Available in this key

Popular chord progressions in D Major

These famous progressions are built from the diatonic chords of D Major. Click any to learn the theory + see songs that use it.

• I–V–vi–IV ("Axis of Awesome")I – V – vi – IV
  DABmG
• vi–IV–I–V (Sensitive Female Progression)vi – IV – I – V
  BmGDA
• I–IV–V (Three-Chord Classic)I – IV – V
  DGA
• I–vi–IV–V (Doo-Wop / "50s Progression")I – vi – IV – V
  DBmGA
• Canon Progression (Pachelbel)I – V – vi – iii – IV – I – IV – V
  DABmF#mGDGA
• I–IV–I–V (Country Two-Step)I – IV – I – V
  DGDA