Piano chord
DD major
- D1
- F♯3
- A5
- Notes
- 3
- Positions
- 3
- Span
- 7semitones
- Fingers
- 1-3-5
How to play D on piano
- Find D: it is the root and the lowest note of the chord in root position.
- Right hand: 1 on D, 3 on F♯, 5 on A.
- Or with the left hand: 5 on D, 3 on F♯, 1 on A.
- Press the keys together, with curved fingers and a loose wrist, and let them ring.
Root position · D – F♯ – A
1st inversion · F♯ – A – D
2nd inversion · A – D – F♯
Numbers on the keys are fingers: 1 thumb, 2 index, 3 middle, 4 ring, 5 little finger.
D inversions
Use these 3 positions to move between chords with as little hand movement as possible. Root position starts on D; the inversions start on the other notes of the chord.
- Root positionbass: DRight hand 1-3-5 · Left hand 5-3-1
- 1st inversionbass: F♯Right hand 1-2-5 · Left hand 5-3-1
- 2nd inversionbass: ARight hand 1-3-5 · Left hand 5-2-1
Chords that go with D
The other chords of D major, the key where D is home (I). Songs in this key move between them.
D with two hands
A full sound: the left hand plays D an octave lower, the right hand plays D–F♯–A.
D on other instruments
About the D chord
To build D major, take these 3 notes from the root up: D (1), F♯ (3), A (5). A major triad: a major third and a perfect fifth over D. It is the most common chord in music and sounds bright and stable.
The keys are D – F♯ – A, counted up from D; the distance from the lowest to the highest key is 7 semitones. Any hand that reaches an octave can hold D, so it works in either hand.
In the inversions of D the root moves up and another note takes the bass. In the 1st inversion the bass is F♯ (F♯–A–D). In the 2nd inversion the bass is A (A–D–F♯).
Compared with D7, D leaves out C.
You meet D in these keys: G major (V), D major (I), A major (IV), E minor (VII), G minor (V).
Questions
What notes are in the D chord?
D (D major) has 3 notes: D (1), F♯ (3), A (5).
How many inversions does D have?
D can be played in 3 positions: Root position (D–F♯–A); 1st inversion (F♯–A–D); 2nd inversion (A–D–F♯).
What is the difference between D and D7?
Compared with D7, D leaves out C.
Can I play D with one hand?
Yes. In root position D spans 7 semitones, less than an octave, so one hand holds it easily.