D# Major Chord on Piano – Notes, Inversions, Songs

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Would you like to learn how to play the D# major chord on the piano? You’ve come to the right place!

The D# major chord is distinguished by its brilliant sound and its ability to infuse any composition with positive energy. Its versatility and rich harmony make it suitable for a wide range of musical genres, from classical to pop. Like most major chords, it often evokes feelings of joy and optimism. Its mastery offers pianists a wide range of musical expression, enriching their repertoire with profound nuances.

In this article, we’ll learn how to play the D# major chord on the piano by exploring the notes and its variations through explanatory diagrams and tutorial videos. At the end of the article, you’ll also find some examples of popular songs that use this chord.

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The D# major chord: what is it?

The D# major chord is a harmonic whole composed of three notes: D# as the root, F## as the major third and A# as the perfect fifth. This combination creates the bright, energetic sound characteristic of major chords. Popular in many musical styles, from classical to jazz, rock and pop, the D# major chord brings a rich, expressive musical color.

How to play the root position of the D# major chord on the piano?

Right hand

Let’s start with the right hand. The D# major is made up of 3 notes: a root note, a third and a fifth. To compose this chord, press the following three notes at the same time on your piano with the fingers indicated:

A♯ – Fifth finger (5)
F## – Third finger (3)
D♯ – First finger (1)

Notes of the D# major chord in the root position of the right hand on a piano keyboard (with fingering).

Notes of the D# major chord in the root position of the right hand on a score staff.

Left hand

For the left hand, the notes remain the same but the position of the fingers changes. Play your D# major by pressing the following 3 notes:

A♯ – First finger (1)
F## – Third finger (3)
D♯ – Fifth finger (5)

Notes of the D# major chord in the root position of the left hand on a piano keyboard (with fingering).

Notes of the D# major chord in the root position of the left hand on a score staff.

Tutorial video

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How to play the first inversion of the D# major chord on the piano?

Right hand

The first inversion of the D# major chord is composed of the following 3 notes in the right hand:

D♯ – Fifth finger (5)
A♯ – Second finger (2)
F## – First finger (1)

Notes of the first inversion of the D# major chord played with the right hand on a piano keyboard (with fingering).

Notes of the first inversion of the D# major chord played with the right hand on a score staff.

Left hand

To play the same D# major inversion with your left hand, only the position of the fingers changes:

D♯ – First finger (1)
A♯ – Third finger (3)
F## – Fifth finger (5)

Notes of the first inversion of the D# major chord played with the left hand on a piano keyboard (with fingering).

Notes of the first inversion of the D# major chord played with the left hand on a score staff.

Tutorial video

How to play the second inversion of the D# major chord on the piano?

Right hand

The second inversion of the D# major chord is played with the following 3 notes in the right hand:

F## – Fifth finger (5)
D♯ – Third finger (3)
A♯ – First finger (1)

Notes for the second inversion of the D# major chord played with the right hand on a piano keyboard (with fingering).

Notes for the second inversion of the D# major chord played with the right hand on a score staff.

Left hand

Press the following 3 keys on your keyboard to play the second inversion of D# major chord with your left hand and the appropriate fingers:

F## – First finger (1)
D♯ – Third finger (3)
A♯ – Fifth finger (5)

Notes for the second inversion of the D# major chord played with the left hand on a piano keyboard (with fingering).

Notes for the second inversion of the D# major chord played with the left hand on a score staff.

Tutorial video

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Exercises to master the D# major chord on the piano

To master this chord, we suggest you work on a few different exercises each week. Try to be regular in your work sessions to make much faster progress (3 to 4 times a week over 20-minute sessions would be perfect).

You can also use our interactive piano learning app to improve your fingering and the fluidity of your movements.

Here are some exercises for mastering the D# major chord on the piano:

Ascending and descending arpeggios: Play the D# major chord as an arpeggio (one note after another), ascending and descending the keyboard. Be sure to play each note clearly and evenly.
Triplet broken chord: Play the chord using a triplet broken chord technique. Play the root, third and fifth of the chord in rapid succession, then descend to the next group of notes.
Chords in rapid succession: Chain the D# major chord with neighboring chords in different progressions. This exercise will help you strengthen the transition between chords and develop your agility.
Blocked chords with inversion : Practice the D# major chord as a blocked chord with different inversions. Start with the root position, then move on to the first and second inversions. The aim here is to help you better understand the chord structure and strengthen your fingering.
Harmonic improvisation: Use the chord as a basis for improvising harmonic melodies. Experiment with different combinations of notes around the chord to create varied musical patterns.

Some popular songs that use the D# major

Love Me Do by The Beatles

This iconic song by British rock band The Beatles uses the D# major chord in its chorus. It’s an excellent example of the use of this chord in a pop-rock context.

Learn to play Love Me Do by The Beatles easily on the piano →

Chandelier by Sia

This modern pop track also uses the D# major chord in its chord progression, highlighting the harmonic richness of this chord in a contemporary composition.

Learn to play Chandelier by Sia easily on the piano →

I Will Always Love You by Whitney Houston

Although this piece is originally in D major, in some versions it is transposed to D# major to suit the performer’s voice. This is great music for practicing this chord while having fun and singing along.

Learn to play I Will Always Love You by Whitney Houston easily on the piano →

Conclusion

The D# major chord therefore enjoys great popularity in a wide range of contemporary pieces and timeless classics. Its distinctive sound adds harmonic richness to many musical compositions. By mastering this chord on the piano, musicians can broaden their sound palette and explore new expressive possibilities in their playing.

We hope you have found this article useful, and that it will enable you to play this chord in many of your compositions or performances. Don’t forget to work regularly on the exercises we’ve given you above to make rapid progress.

You can also use our piano learning app to help you on your musical adventure.