Chord Progressions in D Major
The key of D Major is built on the D Major scale: D, E, F♯, G, A, B, C♯. Its diatonic chords give you everything you need to harmonize a melody — three majors (I, IV, V), three minors (ii, iii, vi), and one diminished (vii°). Most pop, rock, and folk songs in this key never venture outside this set.
The diatonic chords of D Major
The seven chords built from the D Major scale.
Common progressions in D Major
Pop axis in D Major
I – V – vi – IV
The most common four-chord progression in popular music.
50s progression in D Major
I – vi – IV – V
Doo-wop and early rock and roll. Stand By Me, Earth Angel.
ii–V–I in D Major
ii – V – I
The jazz cadence — works equally well in pop choruses.
Three-chord rock in D Major
I – IV – V
Blues, country, rock and roll — all built on this triad.
Relative key
D Major shares the same notes as its relative minor, B Minor. You can borrow chords freely between the two.
Generate progressions in D Major
ChordGen builds custom progressions in any key. Just describe the mood — the AI handles the music theory.
Generate D Major progressions