Learn the D major scale — notes, intervals, chords, modes, and more.
The D major scale contains the following notes:
D – E – F♯ – G – A – B – C♯The scale degrees of the D major scale are:
1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7| Scale Degree | Note |
|---|---|
| 1 | D |
| 2 | E |
| 3 | F♯ |
| 4 | G |
| 5 | A |
| 6 | B |
| 7 | C♯ |
The D major scale uses the interval pattern W, W, H, W, W, W, H
| From | To | Step |
|---|---|---|
| D | E | W |
| E | F♯ | W |
| F♯ | G | H |
| G | A | W |
| A | B | W |
| B | C♯ | W |
| C♯ | D | H |
| Scale Degree | Note | Interval from D |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | D | Perfect Unison |
| 2 | E | Major 2nd |
| 3 | F♯ | Major 3rd |
| 4 | G | Perfect 4th |
| 5 | A | Perfect 5th |
| 6 | B | Major 6th |
| 7 | C♯ | Major 7th |
| Degree | Chord | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| I | D | D, F♯, A |
| ii | Em | E, G, B |
| iii | F♯m | F♯, A, C♯ |
| IV | G | G, B, D |
| V | A | A, C♯, E |
| vi | Bm | B, D, F♯ |
| vii° | C♯dim | C♯, E, G |
| Degree | Chord | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Imaj7 | Dmaj7 | D, F♯, A, C♯ |
| ii7 | Em7 | E, G, B, D |
| iii7 | F♯m7 | F♯, A, C♯, E |
| IVmaj7 | Gmaj7 | G, B, D, F♯ |
| V7 | A7 | A, C♯, E, G |
| vi7 | Bm7 | B, D, F♯, A |
| viiø7 | C♯m7♭5 | C♯, E, G, B |
The modes of D major use the same notes but start on different scale degrees.
| Mode | Starting note | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| D Ionian | D | D, E, F♯, G, A, B, C♯ |
| E Dorian | E | E, F♯, G, A, B, C♯, D |
| F♯ Phrygian | F♯ | F♯, G, A, B, C♯, D, E |
| G Lydian | G | G, A, B, C♯, D, E, F♯ |
| A Mixolydian | A | A, B, C♯, D, E, F♯, G |
| B Aeolian | B | B, C♯, D, E, F♯, G, A |
| C♯ Locrian | C♯ | C♯, D, E, F♯, G, A, B |
The relative minor is B minor. B natural minor uses the exact same 7 notes as D major but starts on the 6th degree (B).
D Lydian has a raised 4th (G♯), while D major has a perfect 4th (G). That single note difference gives Lydian a dreamy, floating quality compared to the grounded sound of major.
D Mixolydian has a flat 7th (C), while D major has a major 7th (C♯). This gives Mixolydian a slightly bluesy, dominant-chord quality while major sounds fully resolved.
D minor has a minor 3rd (F), minor 6th (B♭), and minor 7th (C), while D major has a major 3rd (F♯), major 6th (B), and major 7th (C♯). This gives minor its darker, more melancholic sound compared to the bright, stable quality of major.