Instructional PDF 5 pages

Notes in This Key

In the Key of D major, the 7 notes are D E F♯ G A B C♯ — where D is our root note. From low to high, the notes are ordered as follows. The numbers below each note are the scale degree — which count up to 7, and then start over again at 1.

• D
• E
• F^#
• G
• A
• B
• C^#
• D

On the first few frets of the guitar, here's where you can find these notes. To view these on an interactive fretboard, check out my FretMonster web tool »

Chords in This Key

Here's the six chords you'll use most often in this key. These chords are called diatonic triads – meaning they're built 100% using the notes in this key, and they each have 3 notes. Below each chord is a Roman numeral representing the scale degree (number) of each chord.

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If you need help learning any of the chords above, here's videos I have teaching them:

Seventh Chords in This Key

Each chord above can be extended by one additional note, giving us diatonic seventh chords. These four-note chords have an extra layer of flavor in their sound. Of these, the dominant seventh (built on the V chord) is the most common — as it almost always resolves back to the I chord. Click on any chord below to see how it sounds!

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Example Chord Progressions

Here's a handful example progressions using the chords in this key. In all the examples below, notice the I chord feels sturdy, grounded, and like home — leaving our ear at ease. Even if we play these same progressions in a different key (using different chords), the I in each key has this same quality.

The so-called "1950s Progression," used in songs like Earth Angel and Unchained Melody and Last Kiss and so many others — can be played in this key with the following chords:

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Learnin' to Fly by Tom Petty, which is normally played in the Key of C, can be played in this key with the following chords:

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Brown Eyed Girl by Van Morrison, which is normally played in the Key of G, can be played in this key with the following chords:

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Songs Tutorials in Key of D

Here's all the lessons I've made for songs in this key. Click any link below to view my video lesson and any other resources I have available for that song. All the song sheets I've made (indicated with a blue badge below) are licensed and available for individual purchase.

Riffs & Instrumental Lessons in Key of D

Here's all the additional lessons I've made that involve playing in this key. Instructional PDFs are available for most of these tutorials – which can be download by Premium members here on this Song Notes website.

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