D flat major scale on piano
The D flat major scale on piano has 7 notes: D flat, E flat, F, G flat, A flat, B flat, and C (D♭, E♭, F, G♭, A♭, B♭, C). It uses 5 black keys: D♭, E♭, G♭, A♭, B♭. Standard fingering going up one octave: right hand 2-3-1-2-3-4-1-2; left hand 3-2-1-4-3-2-1-3.
- D♭ D flat 1
- E♭ E flat 2
- F 3
- G♭ G flat 4
- A♭ A flat 5
- B♭ B flat 6
- 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 flat major scale
| Note | D♭ | E♭ | F | G♭ | A♭ | B♭ | C | D♭ |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Right hand | 2 | 3 | 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | 1 | 2 |
| Left hand | 3 | 2 | 1 | 4 | 3 | 2 | 1 | 3 |
Two octaves: Right hand: 2-3-1-2-3-4-1-2-3-1-2-3-4-1-2 · Left hand: 3-2-1-4-3-2-1-3-2-1-4-3-2-1-3
This is the standard fingering from piano method books (the same as in ABRSM exams), going up; to come down, retrace it. Practice each hand separately and slowly before putting them together. Fingers: 1 = thumb, 2 = index, 3 = middle, 4 = ring, 5 = little finger.
Formula
- D♭
- W
- E♭
- W
- F
- H
- G♭
- W
- A♭
- W
- B♭
- W
- C
- H
- D♭
Degrees: 1 · 2 · 3 · 4 · 5 · 6 · 7. Steps: W – W – H – W – W – W – H (W = whole step, H = half step).
About the major scale
The foundation of Western music (Ionian mode). Happy and stable; the chords of the major key come from it.
Harmonized scale (chords in the key)
The chords that come from the scale, stacking thirds from each note.
| Degree | Triad | Seventh chord | Function |
|---|---|---|---|
| I | D♭ | D♭7M | tonic |
| IIm | E♭m | E♭m7 | subdominant |
| IIIm | Fm | Fm7 | tonic |
| IV | G♭ | G♭7M | subdominant |
| V | A♭ | A♭7 | dominant |
| VIm | B♭m | B♭m7 | tonic |
| VII° | C° | Cm7(b5) | dominant |
Arpeggios of these chords on piano
Scales with the same notes
Relative minor: B flat minor scale . Same notes, different center.
More D flat scales
- Major
- Natural minor (C♯)
- Harmonic minor (C♯)
- Melodic minor (C♯)
- Major pentatonic
- Minor pentatonic (C♯)
- Blues (C♯)
- Major blues (C♯)
- Dorian (C♯)
- Phrygian (C♯)
- Lydian
- Mixolydian (C♯)
- Locrian (C♯)
- Nordestina (Brazilian baião)
- Phrygian dominant (C♯)
- Whole-tone
- Diminished (whole-half) (C♯)
- Dominant diminished (half-whole) (C♯)
Major in other keys
Frequently asked questions
What are the notes of the D flat major scale?
The notes of the D flat major scale are D flat, E flat, F, G flat, A flat, B flat, and C. It uses 5 black keys: D♭, E♭, G♭, A♭, B♭.
What is the fingering for the D flat major scale on piano?
Going up one octave: right hand 2-3-1-2-3-4-1-2 and left hand 3-2-1-4-3-2-1-3. Over two octaves: right hand 2-3-1-2-3-4-1-2-3-1-2-3-4-1-2 and left hand 3-2-1-4-3-2-1-3-2-1-4-3-2-1-3.
What is the formula of the D flat major scale?
In degrees: 1 · 2 · 3 · 4 · 5 · 6 · 7. In steps between notes: W – W – H – W – W – W – H (W = whole step, H = half step).
Which chords go with the D flat major scale?
The chords of the key are D♭, E♭m, Fm, G♭, A♭, B♭m, C°. Tap each one to see it on the keyboard.