Understanding the harmonic structure of any key is essential for musicians and music producers at all levels. Whether you're writing simple music or complex arrangements, a solid grasp of chords and their functions within a key is crucial to write music with intention and movement.
In this guide, we'll delve into the world of D Major. We'll cover:
By the end of this article, you'll be well-prepared to create rich and harmonically interesting music in the key of D Major.
The D major scale is formed by a specific sequence of whole and half steps that characterizes the Ionian mode.
Each note in a scale has a specific position, called its scale degree. This degree is linked to harmonic function, which defines a chord's role within a key. In the D major scale, every note has a unique scale degree, emphasizing its relationship to the tonic note D.
The seven scale degrees are the foundation for the diatonic chords in a key, each playing a distinct harmonic role. A chord's harmonic function is defined by its stability or tension relative to the tonic.
For instance, the D major chord, with a dominant function in a G major key signature, is unstable and creates tension. Conversely, as the tonic in the D major key, it's stable and provides resolution.
Roman numerals are used to indicate both a chord's harmonic function and quality (i.e major or minor). Uppercase numerals indicate major chords, while lowercase signifies minor. The numeral itself corresponds to the scale degree and the harmonic function of the chord.
The natural notes of the D major scale form the foundation of the D major key signature and are called diatonic. The rest of the notes are called chromatic notes and are great tools to add harmonic interest, depth and unpredictability on your chord progressions.
Furthermore, chromatic notes can be used to create tension, modulate to different keys, or simply to change the quality of the diatonic chords (which we’ll return to in the section “Add complexity to D Major chords).
When a diatonic note is altered, it's called an accidental. These alterations are indicated by sharp (♯) and flat (♭) symbols. To return a note to its original diatonic pitch, a natural (♮) symbol is used.
The tonic note is the cornerstone of the scale and key signature, offering stability and resolution. Chord progressions that end on the tonic chord create a sense of resolution, similar to returning home.
The minor supertonic chord creates tension and often resolves to the dominant chord. This gives it a subdominant function, similar to the major IV chord. Using a minor ii chord as a subdominant provides more creative flexibility in your chord progressions.
The tonic and mediant chords, though sharing a similar tonality, offer contrasting harmonic flavors due to their major and minor qualities.
The mediant chord shares two notes with the tonic, making it useful for tonic substitutions. By strategically substituting the tonic with the mediant, especially in verses, you can heighten the impact of the tonic chord, particularly in climactic moments like choruses or powerful cadences.
The subdominant chord offers a variety of options within D major chord progressions. It provides a contrasting feel to the tonic, creating anticipation and a temporary departure from the tonal center.
The subdominant chord smoothly leads to the dominant chord, increasing tension. The transition from the subdominant to the minor vi chord creates a particularly pleasing major-minor contrast.
The IV-I progression provides a satisfying resolution, known as the plagal cadence. We'll explore cadences and musical punctuation in more detail later.
Dominant chords are naturally unstable and strongly pull towards a stability, typically to the tonic. The dominant seventh chord, which naturally occurs on the fifth scale degree, contains a tritone interval that intensifies this pull towards the tonic, creating the strongest resolutions in Western music.
The submediant chord shares two notes with the tonic, allowing for seamless transitions to both the tonic and mediant chords.
The submediant chord is the tonic of the relative minor key. This allows for easy modulation to a contrasting tonal center within the same key signature. We'll explore relative keys in more detail later.
The C# diminished chord is highly dissonant in major keys. Its inherent tritone creates instability and a strong pull towards resolution. While diminished chords are essential in jazz, they are less common in pop and rock. When used, they often serve as brief, dissonant chords that quickly resolve to more stable harmonies, or as transitional chords to smooth out progressions.
Diatonic chords in D major are categorized into primary and secondary chords. Primary chords form the core harmonic structure of a progression, while secondary chords add harmonic color and complexity.
To truly grasp chord intervals, tonality, and quality, experiment with various chord combinations. Begin with the tonic chord and explore the intervals to each diatonic chord.
Furthermore, experimenting with chord inversions will help you understand how they alter the sound of each chord. Inversions not only change the sound of the chord, but also its sense of stability.
Developing a strong foundation in scale patterns and intervals is essential for composing harmonious melodies and well-structured chord progressions.
Recognizing the pattern of half and whole steps in D major will facilitate smoother voice leading, minimizing large leaps between notes during chord transitions.
A great way to learn to recognize intervals is to associate them with familiar songs. Our article on Interval Training provides a list of songs that utilize each interval, both ascending and descending.
Just as punctuation marks structure and emphasizes language, cadences serve a similar function in music. They are the musical equivalent of punctuation, shaping the emotional impact of a musical phrase. By varying cadences, producers and composers can create a wide range of musical expressions, from powerful climaxes to soft and gentle endings.
Below, we'll explore common cadences in D major.
Dominant → Tonic (V - I)
A → D
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The classic V-I cadence, with its strong resolution, is a well-known technique for concluding a song. Its clear and decisive ending is synonymous with musical closure. An even more powerful resolution is achieved when a dominant seventh chord resolves to the tonic.
A7 → D (V7 - I)
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Two requirements for the perfect cadence is that both chords are in root position, meaning the root of each chord as the lowest note. And the highest voice of the tonic chord must also be the root of the chord. This ensures the strongest possible resolution.
Subdominant → Tonic (IV - I)
G → D
The plagal cadence, also known as the “Amen Cadence”, provides a softer conclusion compared to the perfect cadence. This gentler quality has been frequently used in traditional hymns that end on the interval IV - I to the word “Ah-men”.
Tonic, or Supertonic, or Subdominant → Dominant: (I / ii / IV → V)
D→ A
Em → A
G→ A
A half cadence ends on the dominant chord. Unlike perfect and plagal cadences, which offer a definitive conclusion, the dominant chord is inherently unstable and leaves the phrase feeling less complete.
Concluding a phrase on the dominant can be a powerful trick to build anticipation and energy. Starting the next section on the tonic is like hitting the ground running. This strategic use of the half cadence can enhance the dynamic and emotional journey of your music.
Dominant to Submediant (V - vi)
A → Bm
The interrupted cadence initially hints at a strong and definite resolution. However, it takes an unexpected turn, concluding on the submediant. If the music modulates to the relative minor key, this cadence can function as a smooth transition into the new tonal center.
Here we'll take a look at some interesting chord progressions in the key of D major. We'll highlight the strategic use of chords like the mediant and submediant as substitute tonic chords, and explore various cadences.
Keep in mind that a cadence is more than the final two chords of a progression. It's an intentional punctuation. A I-V-I sequence isn’t a perfect cadence unless it completes the musical phrase.
Let's explore common chord progressions in D major:
This simple, yet effective chord progression, featuring only primary chords, is the foundation of Ed Sheeran's "Thinking Out Loud". The inverted I chord, with its F# bass note, creates an ascending bassline that really drives the music forward. This also adds depth and interest to the harmonic movement.
The standout feature of this chord progression, borrowed from ABBA's "Waterloo" is the secondary dominant (V/V) chord. This non-diatonic chord, borrowed from the A major scale, adds unexpected harmonic color.
ABBA uses chord inversions to create a descending bassline which drives the song forward. The progression begins with a I chord in root position. The V/V uses the 7th as the bass note, which is lowered by a half step to C# for the A major chord - making a chord in 1st inversion.
The subdominant is also in first inversion with the B at the bottom. Lastly, the chord progression ends on the dominant A major in root position for a strong resolution.
This chord progression is a fundamental building block in popular music, and Taylor Swift's "Our Song" is a great example of its effectiveness. It offers a strong harmonic foundation, moving smoothly between chords and creating a satisfying sense of resolution.
The dominant chord generates tension that resolves to the tonic, making the progression emotionally resonant. Its simplicity and versatility allow it to be adapted to various genres and styles, making it a go-to choice for songwriters.
Using only primary chords can get you a long way. One of the reasons for this progression's effectiveness is its less conventional starting point on the subdominant chord. Typically, a chord progression begins with the tonic chord, establishing a clear tonal center.
However, by starting on the subdominant, the progression immediately generates a sense of anticipation and forward momentum. This chord progression is heard in “Bad Moon Rising” by Creedence Clearwater Revival.
This common chord progression is a staple in pop music for a reason: its simplicity and effectiveness. While it's a frequently used progression there are ways to inject originality into this familiar framework.
One approach is to experiment with chord inversions or extensions. This will give you different harmonic colors and textures. Another technique is to approach the progression from different angles, such as starting on a tonal center then start this chord progression as you modulate to a different or relative key signature.
A great example of this is Men at Work's "Land Down Under". The song starts in B minor. For the chorus it modulates to the relative key of D Major and plays these simple chords. The shift in tonal center makes this chord sequence more unexpected and interesting.
The key signature and mode provides diatonic notes and chords, but these are not the only ones we can use when we write a piece of music in a particular key signature. By introducing chromatic notes we can expand the harmonic palette for more depth and interesting chord progressions.
Chromatic notes serve as the foundation for constructing diminished, augmented, and various major or minor chords. In addition, modulating to the relative minor key is a great technique for expanding the harmonic palette in a song. We’ll look at this next.
Every major key has a corresponding minor key, and vice versa. These key pairs share the same notes but differ in their tonal centers and chord functions.
The relative minor is found on the sixth scale degree, the submediant. In D Major, that’s B minor.
In a minor scale, the relative major is found on the third scale degree, the mediant. In B minor, that’s D major.
Modulating to B minor unlocks a different tonal world with seven new diatonic chord functions, all within the same key signature. For a deeper dive into this key, check out the article "Learn the Chords in B Minor."
The close connection between D major and B minor allows for exciting harmonic exploration. This subtle tonal shift can add depth and create distinct emotional tonalities for different sections of a song.
Modulating between relative keys is a common technique. For example, you can transition to B minor to create a more melancholic moment in your song. At the same time, returning to D major can evoke a more uplifting and energetic mood.
Temporarily shifting to different keys or altering chord qualities is a powerful technique to add musical depth and harmonic interest. By highlighting specific moments without disrupting the overall tonal foundation, you can create dynamic and movement in your music.
In the following section, we'll look at parallel chords and secondary dominants. Two simple techniques that add interest to simple chord progressions.
Parallel chords, created by altering the quality of a chord through accidentals, offer unexpected harmonic twists. For example, raising the third of the mediant chord from A to A♯ in a chord progression creates an F♯ major chord, which has a distinct emotional impact compared to the minor mediant.
From time to time, temporarily using D minor as the tonic is a great way to add unexpected tonal qualities to your music.
With that said, use parallel chords sparingly and carefully. Overusing them can cause your song to lose focus and disrupt the natural harmonic stability of the music. Use them strategically to emphasize certain moments and to enhance the overall tonal richness of your song.
A secondary dominant is a borrowed chord that temporarily takes on the function of a dominant chord from a different key. In essence, secondary dominants allow us to introduce a V-I resolution from an alternate tonal center, enriching the harmonic palette with depth and complexity.
One of the most common secondary dominants is the "dominant of the dominant" (V/V). For instance, in D Major, the dominant chord is A Major. The secondary dominant, E Major, is the dominant of A Major.
By placing the V/V before the V chord, we create a V-I resolution from the key of A major, adding a layer of harmonic intrigue.
Example:
Let’s add a V/V to a simple I - V - I progression to see how it enhances it.
I - V/V - V - I
D - E7 - A7 - D
Even a basic understanding of music theory can elevate your music significantly. Music theory allows you to write music with intention. Understanding the relationships between chords and key signatures lets you create more sophisticated and interesting chord progressions.
As you collaborate with Musiversal's musicians, you'll quickly appreciate the value of understanding the theory behind your music. This knowledge will empower you to effectively communicate your musical vision and guide their performance towards your desired outcome.
For example, including a V/V in your chord chart signals the intent of a secondary dominant. This can guide the musician to connect chords through specific voice leading techniques.
If you need a guiding hand in writing interesting chord progressions or adding harmonic depth, our pre-production and songwriting experts are ready to support you.
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