Skip to main content

Scale reference

D Major scale

The reference scale of Western music. Its whole/half step pattern gives you the seven diatonic chords every pop progression is drawn from.

Step pattern: W–W–H–W–W–W–H (W = whole step, H = half step)

Notes in D Major

Scale degrees and intervals of the D Major scale
DegreeNoteInterval from root
1DRoot
2EMajor 2nd
3F#Major 3rd
4GPerfect 4th
5APerfect 5th
6BMajor 6th
7C#Major 7th

Chords in D Major

These are the chords that occur naturally in D Major. Combine them in the chord progression generator to hear which genres use each shape.

Turn this into practice

ChordCraft Lab adds daily puzzles, adaptive quizzes and ear training on a playable keyboard. 14-day free trial, then $7/month.

Start free trial