stringery

D♭ major

The do-re-mi scale everything else is measured against. Major family

Bright, familiar, resolved.

Root position4 of 5

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Square: the root. In colour: the major 3rd, the note that gives this scale its sound.

Built from

  1. D♭RW
  2. E♭2W
  3. F3H
  4. G♭4W
  5. A♭5W
  6. B♭6W
  7. C7H

Every step is a whole step except two half steps, after the 3rd and the 7th. That pattern is the sound of 'home' in most music you know.

Between the notes: W is a whole step (2 frets), H a half step (1 fret), and 1½ a step and a half (3 frets).

On the whole neckD♭ major

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12345EADGBE3579121534567R23467R234567234567R23567R234567R234567R34567R234

Position 4 is outlined, frets 8 to 11. Pick another window to move there.

Ring the notes of a chord

Chords in this scale

The D♭ major key

Build a chord on every note of the scale and you get these seven. Songs in this key mostly use them.

  1. D♭I
  2. E♭mii
  3. Fmiii
  4. G♭IV
  5. A♭V
  6. B♭mvi
  7. Cdimvii°

Its neighbours on the circle of fifths Capo and transpose

Play it over

Chords this scale sounds good over, most natural first.

Same notes, different home

  • B♭ minor

    Same notes, but home is B♭: sad, serious, the classic minor sound.

  • E♭ dorian

    Same notes, but home is E♭: minor but hopeful. cool and groovy.

  • A♭ mixolydian

    Same notes, but home is A♭: major and laid-back, with swagger.

  • F♯ lydian

    Same notes, but home is F♯: floating, magical, wide-eyed.

  • F phrygian

    Same notes, but home is F: dark, spanish, menacing.