stringery

D major

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

Bright, familiar, resolved.

Root position1 of 5

571012

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

Built from

  1. DRW
  2. E2W
  3. F♯3H
  4. G4W
  5. A5W
  6. B6W
  7. C♯7H

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

12345GCEA5710124567R2347R23456234567R2567R2345
12345GCEA5710124567R2347R23456234567R2567R2345

Position 1 is outlined, frets 2 to 5. 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. DI
  2. Emii
  3. F♯miii
  4. GIV
  5. AV
  6. Bmvi
  7. C♯dimvii°

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.

  • G lydian

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

  • F♯ phrygian

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