D Minor Scale
The D natural minor scale runs D, E, F, G, A, B flat, C and back to D. It has one flat, B flat. The scale shares its notes with F major, yet a phrase that returns to D can make D feel like home.
- Notes: D-E-F-G-A-B flat-C
- Key signature: one flat
- Relative major: F major
Where are the half steps?
The natural-minor pattern is whole, half, whole, whole, half, whole, whole. In D minor, its half steps are E-F and A-B flat. Press each pair on the piano; both notes are neighboring keys.
F is the minor third above D. Play D-F-A together and you have a D-minor chord. Raise F to F sharp while leaving D and A alone to hear how the parallel D-major chord differs. The word "parallel" means the root remains D; it is different from the relative-major relationship with F.
Why does the key signature have B flat?
A B natural would make A-B a whole step, but natural minor needs a half step there. B flat preserves the pattern. F major also uses B flat and no other sharps or flats, so the two keys share a signature and a note collection. F Major Scale lets you compare the same seven pitches from its other center.
Which chords come from D natural minor?
Stack alternate notes to make Dm, E diminished, F, Gm, Am, B flat and C. For example, Am is A-C-E, so the fifth chord is minor if you use only the natural-minor notes.
Now change C to C sharp within the A chord. A-C sharp-E is major. Play Am-Dm, then A-Dm. The raised C sharp sits just below D and makes the second arrival more pointed. Minor-key music often uses both C and C sharp; Harmonic Minor explains the raised seventh.
Try two endings
Play D-F-A-C-D and then D-F-A-C sharp-D. Keep the first three notes and the rhythm identical. You are testing one note, not a vague "minor mood." If the change is hard to hear, repeat only C-D and C sharp-D over a low D.