D major

Key of glory

D major is a musical key with D as its tonic note and two sharps (F♯ and C♯) in its key signature.

Considered bright and triumphant, it's favored for orchestral works because open strings on violins resonate naturally in this key: Beethoven's Ninth Symphony is in D major.

Also describes chords built on this scale.

Related

pianoKeyed percussion instrument
Pachelbel CanonBaroque ground bass composition
violinBowed string instrument
triumphResounding, celebrated victory
tonicInvigorating medicinal drink

scale · dominant · Classical period · brightness · sonata · trumpet · joyfulness · wedding music · wedding march · concerto · key signature · guitar · optimism · majestic · orchestra · concert hall · celebration · chord progression

Categories

musical keysC minor, D minor, E minor, F minor, G minor
chordsG chord, A minor, B minor, C minor, D minor
music theorynote, notes, chord, chords, harmony
D wordsdelta, D minor, D flat, D sharp, D grade
A major

Opposites

modal quality

D majorD minor

Key with B-flat

tonal center

D majorC major

Key lacking accidentals

E major · B-flat major · B major · F major

tonal distance

D majorC-sharp minor

Musical key, four sharps

Family

major, majors, majority, majorities, majorly, major-domo

Familiarity: Top 200,000
Profile: Used worldwide · Timeless · Rated G