D blues scale on piano
The D blues scale on piano has 6 notes: D, F, G, A flat, A, and C (D, F, G, A♭, A, C). It uses 1 black key: A♭.
- D 1
- F ♭3
- G 4
- A♭ A flat ♭5
- A 5
- C ♭7
The highlighted keys are the notes of the scale, with the name and the degree; the tonic (D) has the strongest color. Tap a key to hear the note; "Play" goes up and down. The small dot marks middle C (C4).
Fingering for the D blues scale
This scale has no single fingering in piano method books. A rule that works: never put the thumb on a black key, and pass the thumb right after a black key. Fingers: 1 = thumb, 2 = index, 3 = middle, 4 = ring, 5 = little finger.
Formula
- D
- 1½W
- F
- W
- G
- H
- A♭
- H
- A
- 1½W
- C
- W
- D
Degrees: 1 · ♭3 · 4 · ♭5 · 5 · ♭7. Steps: 1½W – W – H – H – 1½W – W (W = whole step, H = half step).
About the blues scale
Minor pentatonic plus the "blue note" (flat fifth). The sound of the blues.
Scales with the same notes
Relative major: F major blues scale . Same notes, different center.
More D scales
- Major
- Natural minor
- Harmonic minor
- Melodic minor
- Major pentatonic
- Minor pentatonic
- Blues
- Major blues
- Dorian
- Phrygian
- Lydian
- Mixolydian
- Locrian
- Nordestina (Brazilian baião)
- Phrygian dominant
- Whole-tone
- Diminished (whole-half)
- Dominant diminished (half-whole)
Blues in other keys
Frequently asked questions
What are the notes of the D blues scale?
The notes of the D blues scale are D, F, G, A flat, A, and C. It uses 1 black key: A♭.
What is the formula of the D blues scale?
In degrees: 1 · ♭3 · 4 · ♭5 · 5 · ♭7. In steps between notes: 1½W – W – H – H – 1½W – W (W = whole step, H = half step).