Explore scales · Ukulele
D major scale on ukulele
D major scale notes are D, E, F♯, G, A, B, and C♯. Box 1 places roots at string 3 fret 2 and string 1 fret 5.
How it is built
Formula 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7
How do you play the D major scale on ukulele?
D major in box 1 runs from fret 2 to fret 5, 10 notes across 4 strings, from D on the C string at fret 2 up to D on the A string at fret 5. The root falls on the C string at fret 2 and the A string at fret 5.
Every note in this box, string by string
| String | Frets | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| 4 (G) | 2, 4 | A, B |
| 3 (C) | 2, 4 | D, E |
| 2 (E) | 2, 3, 5 | F♯, G, A |
| 1 (A) | 2, 4, 5 | B, C♯, D |
Box 2 · frets 4–7
D major in box 2 runs from fret 4 to fret 7, 11 notes across 4 strings, from E on the C string at fret 4 up to E on the A string at fret 7. The root falls on the G string at fret 7 and the A string at fret 5.
Every note in this box, string by string
| String | Frets | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| 4 (G) | 4, 6, 7 | B, C♯, D |
| 3 (C) | 4, 6, 7 | E, F♯, G |
| 2 (E) | 5, 7 | A, B |
| 1 (A) | 4, 5, 7 | C♯, D, E |
Box 3 · frets 6–9
D major in box 3 runs from fret 6 to fret 9, 10 notes across 4 strings, from F♯ on the C string at fret 6 up to F♯ on the A string at fret 9. The root falls on the G string at fret 7.
Every note in this box, string by string
| String | Frets | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| 4 (G) | 6, 7, 9 | C♯, D, E |
| 3 (C) | 6, 7, 9 | F♯, G, A |
| 2 (E) | 7, 9 | B, C♯ |
| 1 (A) | 7, 9 | E, F♯ |
Box 4 · frets 9–12
D major in box 4 runs from fret 9 to fret 12, 11 notes across 4 strings, from A on the C string at fret 9 up to A on the A string at fret 12. The root falls on the E string at fret 10.
Every note in this box, string by string
| String | Frets | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| 4 (G) | 9, 11, 12 | E, F♯, G |
| 3 (C) | 9, 11 | A, B |
| 2 (E) | 9, 10, 12 | C♯, D, E |
| 1 (A) | 9, 10, 12 | F♯, G, A |
Why it sounds like that
D major is built from whole and half steps in the pattern W, W, H, W, W, W, H. It contains the notes of D major pentatonic plus G and C♯, which add the fourth and leading tone. Compare the two scales in D major pentatonic.
When to use it
D major fits the I, IV, and V chords in D major: D major, G major, and A major. Use it for bright, ringing melodies in folk and country.
Which position to practise
Practise Box 1 first. The root on string 3 fret 2 anchors the low end, and the high root on string 1 fret 5 keeps the reentrant G out of the way.
Common questions
What notes are in the D major scale?
D major scale notes are D, E, F♯, G, A, B, and C♯. The scale follows the pattern W, W, H, W, W, W, H. On ukulele, Box 1 starts at string 3 fret 2.
Which chords does D major fit?
D major fits the D major, G major, and A major chords. These are the I, IV, and V chords in the key of D major. The scale also works over D 5th and G 5th power chords.
How does D major differ from D major pentatonic?
D major has seven notes, while D major pentatonic has five. The pentatonic omits G and C♯, the fourth and seventh degrees. Adding those two notes gives the full major scale sound.