How do you play the E major/D chord?

To play the E major/D chord on piano, play the E major chord (E, G# and B) with D as the lowest bass note. Place the D 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 E major/D chord means a E major chord with D in the bass.

E major/D

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

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

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

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

How to play the E major/D chord

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

Related chords with different root

Related slash chords

G# m(#5)/D