How do you play the D major/E chord?

To play the D major/E chord on piano, play the D major chord (D, F# and A) with E as the lowest bass note. Place the E note below the other chord tones. Slash chords specify a particular bass note different from the chord root.

What is a slash chord?

A slash chord (or compound chord) is written as Chord/Bass and specifies both a chord and a bass note. The note to the right of the slash is played as the lowest note. The D major/E chord means a D major chord with E in the bass.

D major/E

Q: What notes are in the D major/E chord?

The D major/E chord uses the 3 notes of the D major chord — D (Perfect unison), F# (Major third) and A (Perfect fifth) — with E played as the bass note in the lowest register.

The D major chord consists of the D (Perfect unison), F# (Major third) and A (Perfect fifth) notes, with E as the bass note.

Piano keyboard showing the notes for a D major/E chord

How to play the D major/E chord

Play E as the lowest bass note in the left hand
Find D (Root) on the piano keyboard
Add F# (Major third) — 4 semitones above D
Add A (Perfect fifth) — 7 semitones above D
Press all 4 notes simultaneously to sound the D major/E chord

Related chords with different root

D add2
D add9
F# m7(#5)
F# m7(alt)

Related slash chords

F# m(#5)/E