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D Piano Chords

By Hal Leonard Editorial

Every D chord a keyboard or piano player needs — each shown three ways: the exact keys to press (root circled), a photo of the chord under real hands, and standard staff notation. 9 chords in this key.

Hear any of these chords and try every key on the interactive Chord Finder.

D — Major

D · F♯ · A

The D chord is built from the root, a major third, and a perfect fifth — D, F♯, A. Bright and stable — the first chord most pianists learn and the anchor of countless songs.

Dm — Minor

D · F · A

The Dm chord is built from the root, a minor third, and a perfect fifth — D, F, A. Darker and more wistful than major, and just as common across every style.

Daug — Augmented

D · F♯ · A♯

The Daug chord is built from the root, a major third, and a raised fifth — D, F♯, A♯. Restless and dreamlike; often a stepping-stone between two ordinary chords.

Dsus4 — Suspended fourth

D · G · A

The Dsus4 chord is built from the root, a perfect fourth, and a perfect fifth (the fourth replaces the third) — D, G, A. Open and suspended — it leans forward and loves to resolve to the plain major chord.

Dmaj7 — Major seventh

D · F♯ · A · C♯

The Dmaj7 chord is built from a major triad plus a major seventh — D, F♯, A, C♯. Lush, warm and jazzy — the classic "dreamy" piano sound.

D7 — Dominant seventh

D · F♯ · A · C

The D7 chord is built from a major triad plus a minor seventh — D, F♯, A, C. Bluesy and unresolved; the workhorse of blues, gospel and jazz turnarounds.

Dm7 — Minor seventh

D · F · A · C

The Dm7 chord is built from a minor triad plus a minor seventh — D, F, A, C. Mellow and smooth — the backbone of soul, R&B and jazz comping.

Dm7b5 — Half-diminished (m7♭5)

D · F · A♭ · C

The Dm7b5 chord is built from a diminished triad plus a minor seventh — D, F, A♭, C. Also called half-diminished; most often the "ii" chord that opens a minor ii–V–i.

Ddim7 — Diminished seventh

D · F · A♭ · C♭

The Ddim7 chord is built from four notes stacked in minor thirds — D, F, A♭, C♭. Maximally tense and perfectly symmetrical — a favourite for passing and leading between chords.

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