D major scale
2 sharps: F♯ C♯ · pattern W–W–H–W–W–W–H
Scale degrees
| Degree | Note | Name | Half steps from D |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | D | Tonic | 0 |
| 2 | E | Supertonic | 2 |
| 3 | F♯ | Mediant | 4 |
| 4 | G | Subdominant | 5 |
| 5 | A | Dominant | 7 |
| 6 | B | Submediant | 9 |
| 7 | C♯ | Leading tone | 11 |
About this scale
The major scale is the reference every other scale is compared with. D major’s notes also form the chords I, ii, iii, IV, V, vi and vii° of the key — the backbone of most songs in D.
Relative key: B minor.
Seventh chords in D major scale
Imaj7 Dmaj7ii7 Em7iii7 F♯m7IVmaj7 Gmaj7V7 A7vi7 Bm7viiø7 C♯m7♭5
Other D scales
D natural minorD harmonic minorD melodic minorD major pentatonicD minor pentatonicD bluesD DorianD Mixolydian
Major scale in other keys
Questions
What are the notes of the D major scale?
D, E, F♯, G, A, B, C♯, and back to D.
How many sharps or flats are in D major scale?
2: F♯, C♯.
What is the step pattern of the major scale?
W–W–H–W–W–W–H, where W is a whole step (two keys) and H is a half step (the next key). Start that pattern on D to get this scale.
What is the relative minor of D major?
B minor. Both scales use the same notes but start on a different tonic.