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Chord · Reference entry

D Power

Power · D – A · intervals P1-P5

The D Power chord (D5) contains the notes D and A. Its interval formula is R-P5. Just the root and 5th — no 3rd, no major/minor identity, the staple of distorted rock guitar.

At the keyboard

D · A
Flashcards · Chord
Three questions on D Power
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D5

The D Power chord is a two-note chord made up of D and A. It is built from a root and perfect fifth.

Construction

D Power = Root + Perfect 5th = D · A
NoteIntervalDegree
DRoot1
APerfect 5th5

D Power Inversions

D Power piano chord, 1st inversion — A, D
The D Power chord, 1st inversion, on a piano keyboard.
PositionNotes
Root PositionD – A
1st InversionA – D
2nd Inversion

Key Signature

A chord has no key signature of its own, but the D Power is the tonic (I) chord of D Major, whose key signature has 2 sharps (F♯, C♯).

F♯C♯

Order of sharps

Sharps are added to a key signature in a fixed order. Each new sharp key adds the next sharp on the list.

FCGDAEB

Mnemonic: Father Charles Goes Down And Ends Battle

Chords in the Key of D Major

These are the triads built on each degree of the D major scale:

C1C2C3C4DAC5C6C7C8F♯
ID Major (major)
DegreeNumeralChordQuality
1ID MajorMajor
2iiE MinorMinor
3iiiF♯ MinorMinor
4IVG MajorMajor
5VA MajorMajor
6viB MinorMinor
7vii°C♯ DiminishedDiminished

D Power — Frequently Asked Questions

What is the D Power chord on piano?
The D Power chord contains the notes D – A. On piano, play these notes together to sound the chord.
What notes are in the D Power chord?
The D Power chord (D5) contains 2 notes: D, A. Formula: R-P5.
How is D5 used in music?
D5 is used in jazz, fusion, and contemporary music to add harmonic color. It appears as a dominant or tonic chord depending on context.
What is the scale degree formula for D5?
D5 uses scale degrees 1-5, giving it its distinctive sound.

Related Tools

Chord FinderLook up any chord — see the notes, hear it, and play along.Chord DrillTimed drills to build speed and recognition across all chord types.Practice RoomPlug in a MIDI keyboard and get real-time feedback on every chord and scale.Circle of FifthsVisualize key relationships, relative minors, and key signatures.MIDI MonitorLive MIDI message stream with note names, velocity, and a scrolling staff.

References & Further Reading

The note names, intervals, fingering, and harmony on this chord page are grounded in the following sources. Public domain treatises and scores are linked to their full text; primary data is piano.org's own interval-derived reference dataset — continuously maintained and human-verified, with no fixed publication date.

  1. 1

    Goetschius, Percy(1889)

    The Material Used in Musical Composition

    Public domain treatise
  2. 2

    Riemann, Hugo(1896)

    Harmony Simplified (English translation)

    Public domain treatise
  3. 3

    Satie, Erik(1888)

    Gymnopédie No. 1 (D major)

    Public domain score
  4. 4

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Entry reviewed and maintained by Justin Evans. Corrections are read and applied.Report an error

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