Explore scales · Guitar
D major scale on guitar
D major uses the notes D, E, F♯, G, A, B, and C♯. Box 1 spans frets 0–3 and places the root on the fifth string.
How it is built
Formula 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7
How do you play the D major scale on guitar?
D major in box 1 runs from fret 0 to fret 3, 15 notes across 6 strings, from E on the low E string at fret 0 up to G on the high e string at fret 3. The root falls on the D string at fret 0 and the B string at fret 3.
Every note in this box, string by string
| String | Frets | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| 6 (E) | 0, 2, 3 | E, F♯, G |
| 5 (A) | 0, 2 | A, B |
| 4 (D) | 0, 2 | D, E |
| 3 (G) | 0, 2 | G, A |
| 2 (B) | 0, 2, 3 | B, C♯, D |
| 1 (e) | 0, 2, 3 | E, F♯, G |
Box 2 · frets 2–5
D major in box 2 runs from fret 2 to fret 5, 17 notes across 6 strings, from F♯ on the low E string at fret 2 up to A on the high e string at fret 5. The root falls on the A string at fret 5 and the B string at fret 3.
Every note in this box, string by string
| String | Frets | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| 6 (E) | 2, 3, 5 | F♯, G, A |
| 5 (A) | 2, 4, 5 | B, C♯, D |
| 4 (D) | 2, 4, 5 | E, F♯, G |
| 3 (G) | 2, 4 | A, B |
| 2 (B) | 2, 3, 5 | C♯, D, E |
| 1 (e) | 2, 3, 5 | F♯, G, A |
Box 3 · frets 5–8
D major in box 3 runs from fret 5 to fret 8, 13 notes across 6 strings, from A on the low E string at fret 5 up to B on the high e string at fret 7. The root falls on the A string at fret 5 and the G string at fret 7.
Every note in this box, string by string
| String | Frets | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| 6 (E) | 5, 7 | A, B |
| 5 (A) | 5, 7 | D, E |
| 4 (D) | 5, 7 | G, A |
| 3 (G) | 6, 7 | C♯, D |
| 2 (B) | 5, 7, 8 | E, F♯, G |
| 1 (e) | 5, 7 | A, B |
Box 4 · frets 7–10
D major in box 4 runs from fret 7 to fret 10, 16 notes across 6 strings, from B on the low E string at fret 7 up to D on the high e string at fret 10. The root falls on the low E string at fret 10, the G string at fret 7 and the high e string at fret 10.
Every note in this box, string by string
| String | Frets | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| 6 (E) | 7, 9, 10 | B, C♯, D |
| 5 (A) | 7, 9, 10 | E, F♯, G |
| 4 (D) | 7, 9 | A, B |
| 3 (G) | 7, 9 | D, E |
| 2 (B) | 7, 8, 10 | F♯, G, A |
| 1 (e) | 7, 9, 10 | B, C♯, D |
Box 5 · frets 10–12
D major in box 5 runs from fret 10 to fret 12, 12 notes across 6 strings, from D on the low E string at fret 10 up to E on the high e string at fret 12. The root falls on the low E string at fret 10, the D string at fret 12 and the high e string at fret 10.
Every note in this box, string by string
| String | Frets | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| 6 (E) | 10, 12 | D, E |
| 5 (A) | 10, 12 | G, A |
| 4 (D) | 11, 12 | C♯, D |
| 3 (G) | 11, 12 | F♯, G |
| 2 (B) | 10, 12 | A, B |
| 1 (e) | 10, 12 | D, E |
Why it sounds like that
D major follows the whole-step, whole-step, half-step, whole-step, whole-step, whole-step, half-step pattern. The D major pentatonic drops the fourth and seventh degrees. The G and C♯ add harmonic colour to the pentatonic core.
When to use it
D major fits D major and D 5th chords. It also works over the key's diatonic chords like G major and A major. Use it for fiddle tunes, rock, and pop.
Which position to practise
Practise Box 1 first. The root on string 5, fret 5 is a common position for D major melodies.
Common questions
What notes are in the D major scale?
D major contains D, E, F♯, G, A, B, and C♯. The scale has two sharps. It is a common key for guitar music.
Which chords fit the D major scale?
D major works over D major and D 5th chords. It also fits G major and A major. The seventh degree, C♯, leads strongly to D.
What is the relative minor of D major?
The relative minor of D major is B minor. Both scales share the same key signature of two sharps. B minor starts on the sixth degree of D major.