fuaranScale Mastery
SCALE · ON BASS GUITAR

D Major

The bright, stable home of common-practice tonality. Whole-whole-half-whole-whole-whole-half pattern across seven letters.

MEIMIDIHumdrum
Choose a root
Tempo120 bpm

Playback sounds an octave below the written notation — the instrument's concert (sounding) pitch.

Audio source: tonejs-instruments by Nick Brosowsky (MIT)

Engraved by Verovio 6.2.0-43f8060 5 title D Major Verovio
Tuning
FretboardTuning: EADGBE
35791215EADGBEEF♯GABC♯DEF♯GABC♯DEF♯GABDEF♯GABC♯DEGABC♯DEF♯GABC♯DEF♯GABC♯DEF♯GABC♯DEF♯G
Related scales
Diatonic chord harmonisation
Alternate arrangements
Same scale, other instruments
Same scale, other tonics
Modes built on this tonic
Compare with
Theory reference
Questions
What notes are in the D Major scale?

The D Major scale uses the notes D, E, F♯, G, A, B, C♯ (one octave; the pattern repeats at higher registers).

What chords work over D Major?

The diatonic chords of D major: D major, ii minor, iii minor, IV major, V major (or V7), vi minor, vii°. Strong cadences use IV→V→I.

How do I finger D Major on Bass Guitar?

On bass, scales follow the same position-pattern logic as guitar but with two-notes-per-string most often. Walking-bass-line construction draws on chord-tone-arpeggiation through the scale; see /walking-bass for the standalone surface (once it ships).

When would I use the Major scale?

The bright, stable home of common-practice tonality. Whole-whole-half-whole-whole-whole-half pattern across seven letters.