In this article on the D Flat Major scale, we will touch upon the notes, intervals, key signatures, chords, and popular songs in the key. We will also cover how to play the D Flat Major Scale on guitar, its patterns, and fingerings.
Read the complete article below to learn how to play the D Flat Major Scale today!
Introduction to the D Flat Major Scale
The key of D Flat Major was termed majestic by Hector Berlioz and considered the best for flute music by Charles-Marie Widor. Franz Schubert frequently used the key in his Waltz and other similar compositions. Beethoven used it in his Second Piano Concerto. The list of symphonies in D-flat major is attached here.
Ernst Pauer considered it for ” Fullness of tone, sonority, and euphony.”
D Flat Major Scale Notes
The notes of the Db Major scale are given by the major scales formula {W W H W W W H}.
- 1st Note – Root – Db
- 2nd Note – M2 – Eb
- 3rd Note – M3 – F
- 4th Note – P4 – Gb
- 5th Note – P5 – Ab
- 6th Note – M6 – Bb
- 7th Note – M7 – C
The seven notes of the Db Major scale are {Db, Eb, F, Gb, Ab, Bb, C, and Db(O)}, where Db(O) is the note Db one octave higher than the root. C is the leading tone for this scale.
From the above notes, you can see that the key signature of D Flat Major has five flats. Hence to play it on a piano keyboard, you require five black keys and two white keys.
Diagram
Scale Degrees
| Intervals | Root | M2 | M3 | P4 | P5 | M6 | M7 | P8 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Scale Degrees | 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | 5 | 6 | 7 | 1(8) |
| Notes | Db | Eb | F | Gb | Ab | Bb | C | Db(O) |
D Flat Major Scale On The Treble And Bass Clef:
Treble Clef:
Bass Clef:
D Flat Major Scale Guitar Positions
Linked CAGED Patterns.
The Db major scale in a straight line exists on the B string.
Five CAGED Patterns
Guitar Tabs for the CAGED Patterns
E Shaped Scale Pattern
D Shaped Pattern
C Shaped Pattern
A Shaped Pattern
G Shaped Pattern
Fingering Arrangement For Scale Patterns
The finger positions for all five patterns are given in the diagram below.
The Chords Of The D Flat Major Key
| Scale Degrees | 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | 5 | 6 | 7 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Chord Designation | I | ii | iii | IV | V | vi | viidim |
| Scale Degree Names | Tonic | Super-Tonic | Mediant | Sub-Dominant | Dominant | Sub-Mediant | Leading Tone |
| Chord Names | Db | Ebm | Fm | Gb | Ab | Bbm | Cdim |
| Chord Quality | Major | minor | minor | Major | Major | minor | dim |
The following triad chords result from the D Flat major scale.
- Three Major chords – I, IV, and V – Db, Gb, and Ab Major chords.
- Three minor chords – ii, iii, and vi – Ebm, Fm, and Bbm.
- One diminished chord, the vii° – Cdim.
- Dominant Chord – 5th scale degree – Ab Major.
- Subdominant Chord – 4th Scale Degree – Db Major.
Note Names In These Triad Chords.
| Scale Degrees | Intervals | Chord Notes | Chord Name |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | R – Db – M3 – F – m3 – Ab | Db F Ab | Db |
| 2 | R – Eb – m3 – Gb – M3 – Bb | Eb Gb Bb | Ebm |
| 3 | R – F – m3 – Ab – M3 – C | F Ab C | Fm |
| 4 | R – Gb – M3 – Bb – m3 – Db | Gb Bb Db | Gb |
| 5 | R – Ab – M3 – C – m3 – Eb | Ab C Eb | Ab |
| 6 | R – Bb – m3 – Db – M3 – F | Bb Db F | Bbm |
| 7 | R – C – m3 – Eb – m3 – Gb | C Eb Gb | Cdim |
7th Chords Of D Flat Major Scale
| Scale Degrees | Chord Name | Roman N Designation | Chord Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | DbMaj7 | IM7 | Db - F - Ab - C |
| 2 | Ebm7 | iim7 | Eb - Gb - Bb - Db |
| 3 | Fm7 | iiim7 | F - Ab - C - Eb |
| 4 | GbMaj7 | IVM7 | Gb - Bb - Db - F |
| 5 | Ab7 | V7 | Ab – C – Eb - Gb |
| 6 | Bbm7 | vim7 | Bb – Db – F - Ab |
| 7 | C7b5 | viiø7 | C – Eb – Gb - Bb |
Relative & Parallel Minor Of Db Major Scale
Relative Minor Scale: Bb Minor Scale with notes {Bb, C, Db, Eb, F, Gb, and Ab}.
Parallel Scale: Db minor scale with notes {Db, Eb, Fb, Gb, Ab, Bbb, and Cb}. Its key signature has six flats and one double flat.
Enharmonic Equivalent Scale: C Sharp Major Scale with the notes {C#, D#, E#, F#, G#, A#, and B#}. Its key signature has seven sharp notes.
The Modes of the D Flat Major Scale
The seven diatonic modes of the D Flat Major Scale are:
- D Flat Ionian.
- E Flat Dorian.
- F Phrygian.
- G Flat Lydian.
- A Flat Mixolydian.
- B Flat Aeolian.
- C Locrian.
Songs In The Key Of D Flat Major Scale
Some of the popular songs in the key of D Flat Major Scale are:
- “I Still Haven’t Found What I’m Looking For” by U2.
- “Everything I Do (I Do it For You).” by Bryan Adams.
- “I See Fire” by Ed Sheeran.
- “Sweet Child of Mine” by Guns N’ Roses.
- “Nothing’s Gonna Change My Love for You” by Glenn Medeiros.
- “I Just Called To Say I Love You” by Stevie Wonder.
- “Because You Loved Me” by Celine Dion.
- “Gypsy” by Shakira.
- “I’ll Be Lovin’ U Long Time” by Mariah Carey.
- “I Turn To You” by Christina Aguilera.
Conclusion
We hope you now have all the required information about the key of D Flat Major. Do leave your comments in the section below.
