How to Play a D Major Chord on Piano

A D major chord simply consists of three notes from the D major scale. The root position of the D major chord, or D major triad, is made up of the keys D, F# (sharp) and A. By pressing these keys down simultaneously, you create a major chord that is used to write or play music. You can create variations of this chord, called inversions, by changing the order of the notes.

Things You'll Need

• Keyboard

Instructions

Right Hand

1. Place your thumb on the root of the scale, which is D.

2. Count up a major third from D and place your middle finger on F#.

3. Move up a perfect fifth from the root and place your little finger on A.

4. Press all three keys at the same time to play a D major triad in root position.

5. Put your thumb on F#, your index finger on A and your fifth finger on D, located an octave above the original root key. Press these keys at the same time to play the first in version of the D major chord or triad.

6. Bring your thumb up to A, your middle finger to D and your little finger to F#. Press these keys at the same time to play the second inversion of the D major triad.

Left Hand

1. Place your little finger on the root of the scale, which is D.

2. Count up a major third and place your middle finger on F#.

3. Move up a perfect fifth from the root key, D, and place your thumb on A.

4. Press all three keys at the same time to play the root position of the D major triad.

5. Put your little finger on F#, middle finger on A and your thumb on D. Press these three keys at the same time to play the first inversion of the D major triad.

6. Bring your little finger up to A, your index finger to D and your thumb to F#. Press these keys at the same time to play the second inversion of the D major triad.

Tips & Warnings

• If you are playing a first inversion chord, the intervals from the bass note are a third and a sixth. Therefore, these chords are also referred to as 6/3 chords.

• If you are playing a second inversion chord, the intervals from the bass note are a fourth and a sixth. Therefore, these chords are also referred to as 6/4 chords.