The key of D Major mostly uses the notes of the D major scale, which are D, E, F#, G, A, B and C#. The key signature has two sharps, and its relative minor key is B minor.
Famous songs in the key of D Major include Bad Moon Rising by Creedence Clearwater Revival and Summer of ‘69 by Bryan Adams”.
Chords in the key of D major
The key of D Major primarily uses the scale degree chords of the D major scale, which are D, Em, F#m, G, A, Bm, and C#mb5.
I ii iii IV V vi vii°
D Em F#m G A Bm C#m b5
D Major cadences
An easy way to find out if a song is in the D Major key is to look for cadences. A cadence is a melodic or chord progression that moves towards a point of rest or resolution, and is the most common way to define a key.
Classic cadence:
- Scale degrees: IV – V – I
- Chords: G – A – D
Jazz cadence:
- Scale Degrees: ii – V – I
- Chords: Em – A – D