D major scale on guitar
The D major scale has 7 notes: D, E, F♯, G, A, B and C♯. The major scale is the reference point for most Western music: bright, settled and the source of the “do re mi” sound. Every other scale on this site is easiest to understand as a change to it.
Notes in D major
- Formula
- 1 2 3 4 5 6 7
- Step pattern
- W – W – H – W – W – W – H
- Notes
- 7
Tap a note to hear it.
D major across the neck
Every D major note on the first 12 frets in standard tuning. Filled dots are the root, D. A good place to start: D on the A string is at fret 5, so play the notes between frets 4 and 8 first, then move up the neck.
Intervals
| Degree | Note | Interval from D |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | D | Root |
| 2 | E | Major 2nd |
| 3 | F♯ | Major 3rd |
| 4 | G | Perfect 4th |
| 5 | A | Perfect 5th |
| 6 | B | Major 6th |
| 7 | C♯ | Major 7th |
Chords in D major
Stack every other note of the scale and you get these triads. Any of them will sound “at home” with the D major scale.
H = half step (1 fret), W = whole step (2 frets). Roman numerals: uppercase is major, lowercase is minor, ° is diminished, + is augmented.
Related scales
- Its relative minor is B minor: the same seven notes, starting from the 6th note.
- Drop the 4th and 7th and you get D major pentatonic.
- Play the same notes from the 2nd note for E Dorian, or from the 5th for A Mixolydian.
Questions
What notes are in the D major scale?
D, E, F♯, G, A, B, C♯. Its formula is 1 2 3 4 5 6 7.
Where do I start the D major scale on guitar?
D on the A string is at fret 5, so play the notes between frets 4 and 8 first. The fretboard map on this page shows every D major note on the first 12 frets.
What scales are related to D major?
Its relative minor is B minor: the same seven notes, starting from the 6th note.
More scales
Major in every key
Other scales from D