If you see a D chord, it means to play the notes D, F# and A. The D chord is a major chord and all major chords are written as just a letter name for their chord title. (Some might include a sharp or a flat as well.) You can play the D, F# and A in any order, in any hand. Generally, D needs to be the lowest note you play - like in your left hand.

A D Chord is built out of the notes D-F#-A. Play these notes above middle C with the right hand using the 1st, 3rd and 5th fingers respectively. (If you don't know the numbers of the fingers go to the Basic Piano Fingering Page.

To build a D chord or any other major chord on the piano, just take the root of the chord, and count up four half steps and then three more: Major Chord = Root + 4 half steps + 3 half steps

D is the white note right after C. Take a look at the sets of black keys on your keyboard. They are grouped in twos and threes. The note right after the first black key in the set of two black keys is D. To find F# move two tones from D to the right on your piano. F# falls on a black key. To find A, move one and a half tones from F#.

Basically, a D chord is a chord in the family of major chords, made up of 3 notes – D, F#, and A. Because it is made up of 3 notes, it is called a triad. How to Play a D Piano Chord To play the D chord, you will simply play the 3 notes included in the chord all together at once. See below for a diagram on which notes are included.