D Major Scale Notes
The D Major scale consists of the following notes:
1. D
2. E
3. F#
4. G
5. A
6. B
7. C#
8. D (octave)
This scale begins on the note D and includes two sharps: F# and C#.
So when you play the D Major Scale from D up to the next D, it sounds like this: D-E-F#-G-A-B-C#-D.
D Major scale formula
Now, let’s talk about how we get from one note to another in the D Major Scale using “whole steps” and “half steps.”
W – W – H – W – W – W – H
Here’s how it works for the D Major Scale:
| Number | Note To Next Note | Step |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | D to E | Whole Step |
| 2 | E to F# | Whole Step |
| 3 | F# to G | Half Step |
| 4 | G to A | Whole Step |
| 5 | A to B | Whole Step |
| 6 | B to C# | Whole Step |
| 7 | C# to D | Half Step |
How to Play the D Major Scale (finger position)
Now that we know our notes and steps, let’s talk about how to play them with your fingers on a piano.
D Major Scale Right Hand Fingering
Start Position: Place your right thumb (1) on D note of the middle octave or octave 4.
Right hand: 1 (thumb), 2 (index), 3 (middle), tuck thumb under for 1 (thumb) again, and continue with 2, 3, 4, 5.
So it goes: 1-2-3-(tuck thumb under)-1-2-3-4-5.
Play the notes in Ascending with your right hand, as shown in the table below:
| Note | Finger Number | Finger |
|---|---|---|
| D | 1 | Thumb |
| E | 2 | Index Finger |
| F# | 3 | Middle Finger |
| tuck your thumb under | ||
| G | 1 | Thumb |
| A | 2 | Index Finger |
| B | 3 | Middle Finger |
| C# | 4 | Ring Finger |
| D | 5 | Pinky, Little Finger |
Reverse for Descending to come back down:
| Note | Finger Number | Finger |
|---|---|---|
| D | 5 | Pinky, Little Finger |
| C# | 4 | Ring Finger |
| B | 3 | Middle Finger |
| A | 2 | Index Finger |
| G | 1 | Thumb |
| cross your middle finger over | ||
| F# | 3 | Middle Finger |
| E | 2 | Index Finger |
| D | 1 | Thumb |
D Major Scale Left Hand Fingering
Start Position: Place your left pinky (5) on D note from lower octave or octave 3.
Left hand: 5 (pinky), 4 (ring), 3 (middle), 2 (index), 1 (thumb), cross 3 (middle over thumb) for the next notes.
So it goes: 5-4-3-2-1 (then cross middle finger over thumb) 3-2-1!
Play the notes in Ascending with your left hand, as shown in the table below:
| Note | Finger Number | Finger |
|---|---|---|
| D | 5 | Pinky, Little Finger |
| E | 4 | Ring Finger |
| F# | 3 | Middle Finger |
| G | 2 | Index Finger |
| A | 1 | Thumb |
| cross your middle finger over | ||
| B | 3 | Middle Finger |
| C# | 2 | Index Finger |
| D | 1 | Thumb |
Reverse for Descending: To come back down:
| Note | Finger Number | Finger |
|---|---|---|
| D | 1 | Thumb |
| C# | 2 | Index Finger |
| B | 3 | Middle Finger |
| tuck your thumb under | ||
| A | 1 | Thumb |
| G | 2 | Index Finger |
| F# | 3 | Middle Finger |
| E | 4 | Ring Finger |
| D | 5 | Pinky, Little Finger |
Practice Tips for D Major Scale Fingering
Slow Practice: Start slowly to ensure you are using the correct fingering.
Repetition: Repeat the scale multiple times to build muscle memory.
Use a Metronome: Gradually increase speed as you become more comfortable.
Chords in the D Major Scale
Chords of the D Major Scale are D, Em, F#m, G, A, Bm, C#dim
I – D major (D, F#, A)
ii – E minor (E, G, B)
iii – F# minor (F#, A, C#)
IV – G major (G, B, D)
V – A major (A, C#, E)
vi – B minor (B, D, F#)
vii° – C# diminished (C#, E, G#)
Same Notes, Different Scales
Key Signature: Two sharps (F#, C#)
Scale: D Major Scale (two black keys)
D Major Scale Notes: D, E, F#, G, A, B, C#
The relative minor of D major is B minor (i.e., the same notes but arranged in a different order).
B minor Scale Notes: B, C#, D, E, F#, G, A