D Major Scale




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:

    NumberNote To Next NoteStep
    1D to EWhole Step
    2E to F#Whole Step
    3F# to GHalf Step
    4G to AWhole Step 
    5A to BWhole Step
    6B to C#Whole Step
    7C# to DHalf Step
    D Major scale formula

    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:

    NoteFinger NumberFinger
    D1Thumb
    E2Index Finger
    F#3Middle Finger
    tuck your thumb under
    G1Thumb 
    A2Index Finger
    B3Middle Finger
    C#4Ring Finger
    D5Pinky, Little Finger
    Right Hand Fingering Ascending for D Major Scale

    Reverse for Descending to come back down:

    NoteFinger NumberFinger
    D5Pinky, Little Finger
    C#4Ring Finger
    B3Middle Finger
    A2Index Finger
    G1Thumb 
    cross your middle finger over
    F#3Middle Finger
    E2Index Finger
    D1Thumb
    Right Hand Fingering Decending for D Major Scale

    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:

    NoteFinger NumberFinger
    D5Pinky, Little Finger
    E4Ring Finger
    F#3Middle Finger
    G2Index Finger
    A1Thumb 
    cross your middle finger over
    B3Middle Finger
    C#2Index Finger
    D1Thumb
    Left Hand Fingering Ascending for D Major Scale

    Reverse for Descending: To come back down:

    NoteFinger NumberFinger
    D1Thumb
    C#2Index Finger
    B3Middle Finger
    tuck your thumb under
    A1Thumb 
    G2Index Finger
    F#3Middle Finger
    E4Ring Finger
    D5Pinky, Little Finger
    Left Hand Fingering Descending for D Major Scale

    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


    Piano Tutorial