D Major Scale

D-E-F sharp-G-A-B-C sharp-D. The half steps are F sharp-G and C sharp-D. Every other move to the next scale note is a whole step. Put a finger on the F sharp and G keys, then on C sharp and D. Each pair uses adjacent piano keys.

Try D major with F natural instead of F sharp. F-G becomes a whole step and E-F becomes a half step, moving the scale's first small step to the wrong place. Do the same with C natural: the line now reaches D by a whole step. The two sharps keep the major pattern intact from D.

In standard notation, the D major key signature puts sharps on F and C. Unless a written accidental says otherwise, every F and C is played sharp. A chromatic F natural or C natural can still occur in a piece in D; the key signature describes its default notes.

On the circle of fifths, D sits one step beyond G major. G major has F sharp. D major keeps it and adds C sharp.

Take every other note of the scale. Starting at D gives D-F sharp-A, or D major. Starting at A gives A-C sharp-E, or A major. The seven triads are D, Em, F sharp minor, G, A, Bm and C sharp diminished.

Play D-G-A-D on a piano. Listen for the A chord moving to D at the end; C sharp in A major sits a half step below D. This is one way the scale's second sharp matters in actual music. For the general method, see Diatonic Chords.

B natural minor uses the same seven notes but comes to rest on B. Hold a low D and play D-F sharp-A, then hold B and play B-D-F sharp. The key signature stays the same while the tonal center changes. The Minor Scales explains what happens if you later raise A to A sharp in music in B minor.

Play D-E-F sharp-G, pause, then A-B-C sharp-D. You have divided the scale into two four-note pieces, each ending with a half step. Join them only when you can find both sharps without looking at the note list.