This lesson is all about the D minor scale. There are three types of minor scales and we shall take a look at all of them here. They are the natural, melodic and harmonic minor scales.
Let’s start with the D natural minor scale. This scale consists of the pitches, D, E, F, G, A, B♭, and C. Its key signature consists of one flat.
To learn more about this scale and others, check out my course, Learn Scales & Music Theory & Give Yourself An Upper Hand.
Note Intervals
Here’s the D minor scale on the treble clef.
Here’s the Dm scale on the bass clef.
Here’s the Dm scale on the piano keyboard.
Dm Scale Degrees:
The relative major key for the key of D minor is F major. A natural minor scale/key consists of the same notes as its relative major. The notes of the F major scale are F, G, A, B♭, C, D and E. As we’ve seen, the D natural minor uses these same notes, except that the sixth note of the major scale becomes the root note of its relative minor.
The formula for forming a natural (or pure) minor scale is W-H-W-W-H-W-W. “W” stands for whole step and “H” stands for half step. To build a D natural minor scale, starting on D, we take a whole step to E. Next, we take a half step to F. From F, a whole step takes us to G. Another whole step takes us to A. From A, we go up a half step to Bb. From Bb, we take a whole step to C. Lastly, one more whole step returns us to D, one octave higher.
What are the fingerings for the D minor scale? They are as follows:
Thumb: 1, index finger: 2, middle finger: 3, ring finger: 4 and pinky finger: 5.
Video – How to Play Dm Scale on piano/keyboard:
Let’s now take a look at the chords in the key of D minor.
What are the chords in the key of D minor natural? All about the key of Dm and its chords.
Let’s now take a look at the D harmonic minor scale.
To play a harmonic minor scale, you simply raise the seventh note of the natural minor scale by a half-step as you go up and down the scale. For example:
Natural D Minor Scale = D, E, F, G, A, B♭, C, D
Harmonic D Minor Scale = D, E, F, G, A, B♭, C#, D
The formula for forming a harmonic minor scale is W-H-W-W-H-W 1/2-H. (Whole step – half step – whole step – whole step – half step – whole step and a 1/2 step – half step.)
Harmonic Minor Scale Intervals
Here’s a diagram of the harmonic D minor scale on piano.
Here’s the scale on the treble clef.
Here’s the scale on the bass clef.
For the melodic minor scale, you raise the sixth and seventh notes of a scale by a half step as you go up the scale and then return to the natural minor as you go down the scale. The notes of the D melodic minor scale ascending are: D, E, F, G, A, B, and C#. The notes of the A melodic minor scale descending are: D, E, F, G, A, Bb, and C (D natural minor scale).
The formula for a melodic minor scale is whole step – half step – whole step – whole step – whole step – whole step – half step. (W-H-W-W-W-W-H) The descending formula is the natural minor scale formula backwards.
Melodic D Minor Scale Intervals
Here’s a diagram of the melodic D minor scale on piano.
Here’s the scale on the treble clef.
Here’s the scale on the bass clef.
Remember that for the melodic minor scale, when descending, you play the natural minor scale.
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