D sharp minor scale on piano
The D sharp minor scale on piano has 7 notes: D sharp, E sharp, F sharp, G sharp, A sharp, B, and C sharp (D♯, E♯, F♯, G♯, A♯, B, C♯). It uses 5 black keys: D♯, F♯, G♯, A♯, C♯. Standard fingering going up one octave: right hand 3-1-2-3-4-1-2-3; left hand 2-1-4-3-2-1-3-2.
- D♯ D sharp 1
- E♯ E sharp 2
- F♯ F sharp ♭3
- G♯ G sharp 4
- A♯ A sharp 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 sharp minor scale
| Note | D♯ | E♯ | F♯ | G♯ | A♯ | B | C♯ | D♯ |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Right hand | 3 | 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | 1 | 2 | 3 |
| Left hand | 2 | 1 | 4 | 3 | 2 | 1 | 3 | 2 |
Two octaves: Right hand: 3-1-2-3-4-1-2-3-1-2-3-4-1-2-3 · Left hand: 2-1-4-3-2-1-3-2-1-4-3-2-1-3-2
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♯
- H
- F♯
- W
- G♯
- W
- A♯
- H
- B
- W
- C♯
- W
- D♯
Degrees: 1 · 2 · ♭3 · 4 · 5 · ♭6 · ♭7. Steps: W – H – W – W – H – W – W (W = whole step, H = half step).
About the natural minor scale
The "pure" minor scale (Aeolian mode). Sad or introspective; it is the relative of the major scale a minor third above.
Harmonized scale (chords in the key)
The chords that come from the scale, stacking thirds from each note.
| Degree | Triad | Seventh chord | Function |
|---|---|---|---|
| Im | D♯m | D♯m7 | tonic |
| II° | E♯° | E♯m7(b5) | subdominant |
| III | F♯ | F♯7M | tonic |
| IVm | G♯m | G♯m7 | subdominant |
| Vm | A♯m | A♯m7 | dominant |
| VI | B | B7M | subdominant |
| VII | C♯ | C♯7 | dominant |
Arpeggios of these chords on piano
Scales with the same notes
Relative major: F sharp major scale . Same notes, different center.
More D sharp scales
- Major (E♭)
- Natural minor
- Harmonic minor (E♭)
- Melodic minor (E♭)
- Major pentatonic (E♭)
- Minor pentatonic
- Blues
- Major blues (E♭)
- Dorian (E♭)
- Phrygian
- Lydian (E♭)
- Mixolydian (E♭)
- Locrian
- Nordestina (Brazilian baião) (E♭)
- Phrygian dominant (E♭)
- Whole-tone (E♭)
- Diminished (whole-half) (E♭)
- Dominant diminished (half-whole) (E♭)
Natural minor in other keys
Frequently asked questions
What are the notes of the D sharp minor scale?
The notes of the D sharp minor scale are D sharp, E sharp, F sharp, G sharp, A sharp, B, and C sharp. It uses 5 black keys: D♯, F♯, G♯, A♯, C♯.
What is the fingering for the D sharp minor scale on piano?
Going up one octave: right hand 3-1-2-3-4-1-2-3 and left hand 2-1-4-3-2-1-3-2. Over two octaves: right hand 3-1-2-3-4-1-2-3-1-2-3-4-1-2-3 and left hand 2-1-4-3-2-1-3-2-1-4-3-2-1-3-2.
What is the formula of the D sharp minor scale?
In degrees: 1 · 2 · ♭3 · 4 · 5 · ♭6 · ♭7. In steps between notes: W – H – W – W – H – W – W (W = whole step, H = half step).
Which chords go with the D sharp minor scale?
The chords of the key are D♯m, E♯°, F♯, G♯m, A♯m, B, C♯. Tap each one to see it on the keyboard.