2.18 The D major scale

In this chapter, you’ll learn how you can make the D major scale by applying the sequence: whole - whole - half - whole - whole - whole - half, starting from D. In the ear training exercise, you’ll learn how to recognize an wrongly played note in the G and D major scale - and, you’ll learn how to play the D major scale on the piano.

1. The structure of the D major scale

Every major scale consists of the following sequence: whole - whole - half - whole - whole - whole - half. When you apply this sequence starting from D, you get the tones D E F# G A B C# D.

Video

Examples

Which tones will you get if you construct a major scale, starting from D?

The D major scale is comprised of the notes: D E F# G A B C# D.
The D major scale has two sharps: F sharp and C sharp. Two accidentals are notated.

2. Ear training

Listen to the sound of the D major scale.

The D major scale

Practise

Ear Training exercise 2g: being able to hear a wrongly played note in the G and D major scales.

Example question

In the next scale a wrong note is played:

Which note is played incorrectly?

Practical steps

The notated scale is the D major scale. Sing the scale being played to train your inner hearing abilties. Listen to how this scale differs from the major scale.

Answer: the wrong note being played is the sixth note, the B.

3. The D major scale played on the piano

The D major scale ascending and descending, played by the right hand over one and over two octaves.

The fingering of the D major scale played with the right hand.

The D major scale ascending and descending, played by the left hand over one and over two octaves.

The fingering of the D major scale played with the left hand.

The D major scale is comprised of the notes D E F# G A B C# D.
The D major scale has two sharps: F sharp and C sharp.

Ear Training exercise 2g: being able to hear a wrongly played note in the G and D major scales.