D
D Major — the foundation triad — stable, bright, and the reference point every other chord colour is measured against.
The keys
D – F♯ – A
What's inside D
| Note | Interval from root | Degree |
|---|---|---|
| D | Root | 1 |
| F♯ | Major 3rd | 3 |
| A | Perfect 5th | 5 |
Inversions
| Position | Keys (low → high) |
|---|---|
| Root position | D4 – G♭4 – A4 |
| 1st inversion | G♭4 – A4 – D5 |
| 2nd inversion | A4 – D5 – G♭5 |
A working voicing
Split the chord between two hands the way working players do — a solid shell low down, the colour tones up top:
| Hand | Keys |
|---|---|
| Left (shell) | D2 – A2 |
| Right (colour) | G♭4 – A4 |
Where D lives
As the I chord
D → G → A → D
The classic I–IV–V–I motion with this chord as home.
In a ii–V–I
Em7 → A7 → D
The strongest cadence in harmony, resolving onto this chord.
Put D under your fingers
Hear every voicing, see the keys light up, and drill it in the interactive Chord & Voicing Lab.
Open the Chord & Voicing Lab →