Scale reference
D major scale
D – E – F♯ – G – A – B – C♯
The D major scale runs D, E, F♯, G, A, B, C♯ and then back to D. It follows the major step pattern — tone, tone, semitone, tone, tone, tone, semitone — which is what makes it major rather than any other kind of scale.
It uses each letter name once, which is why it is written with 2 sharps.
The notes
The step pattern
Every major scale uses the same sequence of steps. Change the starting note and the pattern is what you keep.
- D1tone
- E2tone
- F♯3semi
- G4tone
- A5tone
- B6tone
- C♯7semi
- D8
Scale degrees
| Degree | Note | Name | Interval from D | Semitones |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | D | Tonic | Perfect unison | 0 |
| 2 | E | Supertonic | Major second | 2 |
| 3 | F♯ | Mediant | Major third | 4 |
| 4 | G | Subdominant | Perfect fourth | 5 |
| 5 | A | Dominant | Perfect fifth | 7 |
| 6 | B | Submediant | Major sixth | 9 |
| 7 | C♯ | Leading tone | Major seventh | 11 |
Key signature
D major is the scale of the key of D major, which has 2 sharps. The key page lists the seven chords built on these notes.