D Major Chord on Piano (D Chord)
The D major chord is one of the first chords with sharps everyone learns on piano. It's really common to see and a great one to learn. This is also called a D chord.
Here you'll find a D chord diagram, learn the fingering, notes, inversions and some basic theory for the D major chord. You can also find out what D/F# and D/A means.
The D Major Chord
If you see a D chord, it means to play the notes D, F# and A.
You can play the D, F# and A in any order, in any hand. Generally, D needs to be the lowest note you play - like in your left hand.
D/F#
If you see D/F#, the F# is referring to the bass note.
On the piano, this would usually mean to play F# in the left hand as the lowest note. D and A would come above.
D/A
f you see D/A, the D is referring to the bass note.
On the piano, this would usually mean to play A in the left hand as the lowest note. D and F# would come above.
Where The D Chord Comes From (Theory)
The D chord or D major chord comes from the D major scale.
The D major scale and the key of D has 2 sharps: F# and C#.
The notes of the scale are D E F# G A B C# D.
A major chord is the 1st, 3rd and 5th notes of the major scale which is why this chord has the notes D, F# and A.
Which Fingers Do You Use?
For any major chord in the root position (with D at the bottom in this case), you can use your thumb, middle finger and pinkie. In piano, these are finger numbers 1, 3 and 5
D Chord Inversions
You can play the D chord on the piano in different positions. There are 2 other standard positions and we call these inversions.
Basically, it means taking a note from the bottom of the chord and playing it on the top.
Root position: D F# A
First inversion: F# A D (Fingers 1 2 5)
Second inversion: A D F#
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