Chord ideas wanted

I've got a two-chord progression going from Dm to C and I want to get to D major. It's a basic 2/4 country beat. Any ideas how to get from here to there? Thank you!

A common way is walk it down then up: C B C C# D chords. Or C C#dim. D. Are you in the key of C?

Well, first let me say that everything always depends on context. But here are a few ways to get from the key of C to the key of D:

1) Via A7, e.g., C - A7 - D. The V of the I chord is a very common modulation tool.

2) Via C#diminished: C - C#dim - D. This can actually be seen as a variant of A7. If you look at the chord tones, A7 = A C# E G, and C#dim = C# E G Bb. There's only a one-note difference. C#dim is the same notes as A7b9 minus the root, and in this instance, it functions the same way.

3) Via an expanded sequence of chords. For example, C - B7 - Bb7 - A7 (or simply C - Bb7 - A7). Or you could expand the A7 to include the IImin chord of the new key signature, which would give you Em7 - A7 - D.

4) Via a deceptive resolution. The V7 of C is G. Depending on the song (again, everything in context), you could conceivably go from C to G to Gmin to D, with the Gmin functioning as the sub-dominant minor of the new key.

5) Via a V chord of another chord in the progression. If your song is a repetitive Dm to C, for example, you could use a B7 to get to Em, which would then be followed by a Dmajor.

Again, it's tough to know the best way to go without hearing things in context, but those ideas may get you thinking. Hope it helps, CS :-)

ETA: Oops, Leon's succinct answer beat my long-winded one. :oops: Man, ya gotta be quick around here, huh? ;-)

Great ideas! Wow, you mean that music theory they were showing me in high school actually related to something?

What's a good book or site you guys would recommend for more stuff like this?