Chords in the key of D flat major
The key of D flat major has the notes D♭, E♭, F, G♭, A♭, B♭, and C and the chords D♭, E♭m, Fm, G♭, A♭, B♭m, and C°. As seventh chords: D♭7M, E♭m7, Fm7, G♭7M, A♭7, B♭m7, and Cm7(♭5). Key signature: 5 flats (B♭, E♭, A♭, D♭, G♭). Relative minor: B flat minor.
- D♭
- E♭
- F
- G♭
- A♭
- B♭
- C
Chords in D flat major
| Degree | Triad | Seventh chord | Function |
|---|---|---|---|
| I | D♭ | D♭7M | tonic |
| ii | E♭m | E♭m7 | subdominant |
| iii | Fm | Fm7 | tonic |
| IV | G♭ | G♭7M | subdominant |
| V | A♭ | A♭7 | dominant |
| vi | B♭m | B♭m7 | tonic |
| vii° | C° | Cm7(♭5) | dominant |
Each chord in the table opens its guitar page, with the diagram and the sound.
The chords of D flat major on the piano
What each chord does
Tonic (D♭, Fm, and B♭m) feels at rest; subdominant (E♭m and G♭) moves away from home; dominant (A♭ and C°) builds tension and wants to go back to D♭.
Common progressions in D flat major
Listen to each one and open it in the backing track to play along.
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The pop progression
I–V–vi–IVThe most used sequence in pop and country: it works under almost any melody.
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50s progression
I–vi–IV–VThe "doo-wop": from 1950s ballads to today's romantic pop.
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Jazz IIm–V–I
ii7–V7–Imaj7The most important cadence in jazz and bossa nova.
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The three chords
I–IV–VI–IV–V: the foundation of rock, blues, country and folk.
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Sentimental pop
vi–IV–I–VThe pop progression starting on the relative minor: emotional, chorus-ready.
Relative and parallel keys
Relative minor: B flat minor. Both scales have the same notes and the same key signature (5 flats (B♭, E♭, A♭, D♭, G♭)).
Parallel key: C sharp minor, with the same tonic and the other mode. Switching between them mid-song changes the mood without moving the home note.
Neighbours on the circle of fifths: F sharp major (a fifth below) and A flat major (a fifth above). Modulating to them sounds natural.
Circle of fifths
D flat major is highlighted. Clockwise, each step goes up a fifth and adds a sharp; counter-clockwise, a flat. The relative minors are on the inside. Tap a key to see its chords.
Scales and tools for D flat major
Chords in other keys
Major keys
Minor keys
Frequently asked questions
What chords are in the key of D flat major?
D♭, E♭m, Fm, G♭, A♭, B♭m, and C°. As seventh chords: D♭7M, E♭m7, Fm7, G♭7M, A♭7, B♭m7, and Cm7(♭5).
What is the relative of D flat major?
B flat minor. Both scales have the same notes and the same key signature: 5 flats (B♭, E♭, A♭, D♭, G♭).
What is the key signature of D flat major?
D flat major has 5 flats (B♭, E♭, A♭, D♭, G♭) in its key signature.
What is the dominant chord in D flat major?
It is A♭ (or A♭7 with the seventh), the V chord. It builds tension and resolves to D♭, the tonic.
What chord progressions work in D flat major?
The most common: I–V–vi–IV: D♭ A♭ B♭m G♭; I–vi–IV–V: D♭ B♭m G♭ A♭; ii7–V7–Imaj7: E♭m7 A♭7 D♭7M; I–IV–V: D♭ G♭ A♭; vi–IV–I–V: B♭m G♭ D♭ A♭.