D major scale on piano
The D major scale on piano has 7 notes: D, E, F sharp, G, A, B, and C sharp (D, E, F♯, G, A, B, C♯). It uses 2 black keys: F♯, C♯. Standard fingering going up one octave: right hand 1-2-3-1-2-3-4-5; left hand 5-4-3-2-1-3-2-1.
- D 1
- E 2
- F♯ F sharp 3
- G 4
- A 5
- B 6
- C♯ C sharp 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 major scale
| Note | D | E | F♯ | G | A | B | C♯ | D |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Right hand | 1 | 2 | 3 | 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | 5 |
| Left hand | 5 | 4 | 3 | 2 | 1 | 3 | 2 | 1 |
Two octaves: Right hand: 1-2-3-1-2-3-4-1-2-3-1-2-3-4-5 · Left hand: 5-4-3-2-1-3-2-1-4-3-2-1-3-2-1
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 | D7M | tonic |
| IIm | Em | Em7 | subdominant |
| IIIm | F♯m | F♯m7 | tonic |
| IV | G | G7M | subdominant |
| V | A | A7 | dominant |
| VIm | Bm | Bm7 | tonic |
| VII° | C♯° | C♯m7(b5) | dominant |
Arpeggios of these chords on piano
Scales with the same notes
Relative minor: B minor 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 in other keys
Frequently asked questions
What are the notes of the D major scale?
The notes of the D major scale are D, E, F sharp, G, A, B, and C sharp. It uses 2 black keys: F♯, C♯.
What is the fingering for the D major scale on piano?
Going up one octave: right hand 1-2-3-1-2-3-4-5 and left hand 5-4-3-2-1-3-2-1. Over two octaves: right hand 1-2-3-1-2-3-4-1-2-3-1-2-3-4-5 and left hand 5-4-3-2-1-3-2-1-4-3-2-1-3-2-1.
What is the formula of the D 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 major scale?
The chords of the key are D, Em, F♯m, G, A, Bm, C♯°. Tap each one to see it on the keyboard.