D major (D) on guitar
The D major scale consists of the notes D – E – F♯ – G – A – B – C♯ and has 2 sharps. Below you can see every usable note on the neck up to fret 15.
♪ Click a note on the fretboard to hear its sound.
Chords in D major
Common progression: D – A – Bm – G (I–V–vi–IV).
Quick overview
- Root note
- D
- Mode
- major
- Key signature
- 2 sharps
- Pentatonic
- D E F♯ A B
- Relative key
- B minor
Well-known songs in D major
- Across the UniverseThe Beatles
- Bad Moon RisingCreedence Clearwater Revival
- Blowin' in the WindBob Dylan
- Castle on the HillEd Sheeran
- Crazy Little Thing Called LoveQueen
- EverlongFoo Fighters
- Everybody HurtsR.E.M.
- Gimme Three StepsLynyrd Skynyrd
- Going DownFreddie King
- Harvest MoonNeil Young
- HeroesDavid Bowie
- Hey There DelilahPlain White T's
- KashmirLed Zeppelin
- LingerThe Cranberries
- Mamma MiaABBA
- More Than a FeelingBoston
- Proud MaryCreedence Clearwater Revival
- Roll Over BeethovenChuck Berry
- Statesboro BluesThe Allman Brothers Band
- Summer of '69Bryan Adams
- Sunshine of Your LoveCream
- Sweet Home AlabamaLynyrd Skynyrd
- Thinking Out LoudEd Sheeran
- Twist and ShoutThe Beatles
- Under PressureQueen & David Bowie
- Wanted Dead or AliveBon Jovi
- WaterlooABBA
- With or Without YouU2
Key of the original recording; live versions or covers may differ.
CAGED positions
With the CAGED system you play D in five positions across the whole neck. Each shape connects to the next.
- D shapearound fret 0 · root on D string, fret 0
- C shapearound fret 2 · root on A string, fret 5
- A shapearound fret 5 · root on A string, fret 5
- G shapearound fret 7 · root on low E string, fret 10
- E shapearound fret 10 · root on low E string, fret 10
Learn D major in 5 steps
Step 1
Find the root note D
Find D on the low E string (fret 10) and on the A string (fret 5). Play them alternately and say the name out loud. Every pattern below hangs off these two points.
Step 2
Play the main chords
Learn the three most important chords: D (I), G (IV) and A (V). Switch between them at a slow tempo until you can play through without stopping.
Step 3
Learn the pentatonic in box 1
The major pentatonic (D E F♯ A B) is the first pattern to learn. Put your index finger around fret 7 and play two notes per string, from the low E to the high e and back.
Step 4
Extend to the full scale
Add the two missing notes (G and C♯) in the same position. Now you're playing all seven notes of D majeur: D E F♯ G A B C♯.
Step 5
Improvise over a chord progression
Record D – A – Bm – G (or ask someone to play it) and solo over it using box 1. End your phrases on D and listen to how that "coming home" sounds.
Playing D major with a capo
- No capo, shapes in D
- Capo at fret 2, shapes in C
- Capo at fret 5, shapes in A
- Capo at fret 7, shapes in G
Solo tips for D major
- Start with the major pentatonic scale (D E F♯ A B). The best-known "box" pattern starts on the root D on the low E string, fret 10.
- End your phrases on the root D for a resolved feeling, or on the third F♯ and fifth A for tension.
- Add the blue note F as a passing note for a bluesy sound — don't linger on it too long.
- Over the A chord (the V) deliberately play the notes of that chord to make the chord changes audible.
Frequently asked questions about D major
Which notes are in D majeur?
D majeur (D) consists of the notes D, E, F♯, G, A, B, C♯. The key signature has 2 sharps.
Which chords fit D majeur?
The diatonic chords in D majeur are D, Em, F♯m, G, A, Bm, C♯dim. You can freely combine them; they all sound good within the key.
What is the relative key of D majeur?
The relative key is B minor. It uses exactly the same notes and key signature, just with a different tonal centre.
Which pentatonic scale do you use in D majeur?
Use the major pentatonic scale: D, E, F♯, A, B. It avoids the "tricky" half-step intervals and almost always sounds good.
How do I find D on the guitar neck?
You'll find the root D on the low E string at fret 10 and on the A string at fret 5, among other places.