D major scale on piano
D major: the do-re-mi scale: the basis of most melodies and of all major keys.
| Notes | D – E – F♯ – G – A – B – C♯ – D |
|---|---|
| Steps | W – W – H – W – W – W – H (W = whole step, H = half step) |
| Fingering | Right hand 1 2 3 1 2 3 4 5 · Left hand 5 4 3 2 1 3 2 1 |
| Relative minor | B minor |
How to play the D major scale
Play it with the right hand using fingers 1 2 3 1 2 3 4 5 going up — the thumb passes under after the third finger. With the left hand use 5 4 3 2 1 3 2 1. Start slowly with the metronome and keep every note even.
Chords in D major
Build a chord on every note of the scale using only notes from the scale:
| Step | Triad | Seventh chord |
|---|---|---|
| I | D major | Dmaj7 |
| ii | E minor | Em7 |
| iii | F♯ minor | F♯m7 |
| IV | G major | Gmaj7 |
| V | A major | A7 |
| vi | B minor | Bm7 |
| vii° | C♯ diminished | C♯m7♭5 |
Other D scales
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