The D Major Scale

The notes of the D major scale are D – E – F# – G – A – B – C# – D. The note, D repeats one octave higher. Its key signature has two sharps.

Scale Intervals

• Tonic: D
• Major 2nd: E
• Major 3rd: F#
• Perfect 4th: G
• Perfect 5th: A
• Major 6th: B
• Major 7th: C#
• Perfect 8th: D

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Scale Degrees

• Tonic: D
• Supertonic: E
• Mediant: F#
• Subdominant: G
• Dominant: A
• Submediant: B
• Leading tone: C#
• Octave: D

Diagram of this scale on the treble clef:

Diagram of scale on the bass clef:

Video:

Major scales are constructed with the formula W – W – H – W – W – W – H. “W” represents a whole step, while “H” represents a half step. Let’s build a D major scale starting on D. From D we will take a whole step to E. From the note E, we will take another whole step to F#. Next, we will go up a half step to G. From G, a whole step will take us to A. Next is another whole step to B. The last whole step takes us to C#. Finally, the half step returns us to D (one octave higher).

D Major Scale Piano Fingering

What’s the fingering for this scale? It’s as follows:

• Notes: D, E, F#, G, A, B, C#, D
• Fingerings (Left Hand): 5, 4, 3, 2, 1, 3, 2, 1
• Fingerings (Right Hand): 1, 2, 3, 1, 2, 3, 4, 5

(Thumb is finger 1, index finger is finger 2, middle finger is 3, ring finger is 4 and pinky finger is 5.) 

Here’s a video showing how to play the D major scale on piano (keyboard):

What are the triad chords in the key of D? They are as follows:

• Chord I: D major. Its notes are D – F# – A.
• Chord ii: E minor. Its notes are E – G – B.
• Chord iii: F# minor. Its notes are F# – A – C#.
• Chord IV: G major. Its notes are G – B – D.
• Chord V: A major. It’s notes are A – C# – E.
• Chord vi: B minor. Its notes are B – D – F#.
• Chord vii: C# diminished. Its notes are C# – E – G.

Diatonic Triads in key of D major: D – Em – F#m – G – A – Bm – C#dim

Chords in the key of D major. D major scale, key signature, common chord progressions and piano key chord charts.

Here’s a video showing chords in the key of D major on piano (keyboard):

The relative minor of D major is B minor. The relative minor of a major key is based on the 6th note of the major scale. Major scales and their relative minors share the same notes. The notes of the B minor scale are: B – C# – D – E – F# – G – A – B

Modes:

• Ionian/Major Scale: D – E – F# – G – A – B – C# – D
• Dorian: E – F# – G – A – B – C# – D – E
• Phrygian: F# – G – A – B – C# – D – E – F#
• Lydian: G – A – B – C# – D – E – F# – G
• Mixolydian: A – B – C# – D – E – F# – G – A
• Aeolian/Natural minor scale: B – C# – D – E – F# – G – A – B
• Locrian: C# – D – E – F# – G – A – B – C#

Various Types of Piano Scales

Major and Minor Scales

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