D major pentatonic scale on piano
The D major pentatonic scale on piano has 5 notes: D, E, F sharp, A, and B (D, E, F♯, A, B). It uses 1 black key: F♯.
- D 1
- E 2
- F♯ F sharp 3
- A 5
- B 6
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 major pentatonic 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
- W
- E
- W
- F♯
- 1½W
- A
- W
- B
- 1½W
- D
Degrees: 1 · 2 · 3 · 5 · 6. Steps: W – W – 1½W – W – 1½W (W = whole step, H = half step).
About the major pentatonic scale
Five notes and no half steps: it is almost impossible to sound "wrong". Common in country, rock and pop.
Scales with the same notes
Relative minor: B minor pentatonic 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)
Major pentatonic in other keys
Frequently asked questions
What are the notes of the D major pentatonic scale?
The notes of the D major pentatonic scale are D, E, F sharp, A, and B. It uses 1 black key: F♯.
What is the formula of the D major pentatonic scale?
In degrees: 1 · 2 · 3 · 5 · 6. In steps between notes: W – W – 1½W – W – 1½W (W = whole step, H = half step).