The D Minor scale is a 7 note scale that uses the following notes:
D, E, F, G, A, Bb, C
The scale is usually written as starting and ending on D and it can be repeating at higher or lower octaves. D Minor is a diatonic scale, which means that it is in a key, in this case the key of D Minor!
There are three types of minor scale: the natural minor, harmonic minor and melodic minor. In this post we will stick to D Natural Minor Scale, but you learn aboutD Harmonic MinorandD Melodic Minorin our other articles.
How is the D Natural Minor scale created?
All Natural Minor scales follow a specific pattern of tones and semitones (steps and half steps). The tone pattern is:
Tone, Semitone, Tone, Tone, Semitone, Tone, Tone
If we take the start at a C and follow the pattern we will get the C Natural Minor Scale. To create the D Natural Minor scale, follow the tone/semitone pattern starting on the note D.
Whichever note you start on, you will always achieve the minor scale starting on this note.
A Minor Scale on the Piano
As you can see, if we were to play this scale on the piano diagram we only use one black key for the B flat.
To play this scale on the piano use the fingers written below.
D Minor Scale on the Guitar
To play the D Natural Minor scale on the guitar use the tab below.
Degrees of the Scale: D Minor
Each note in the D Minor scale has a position that we call the degree of the scale. The first note of the scale is called the ‘tonic’ note.
Key Signature for D Minor
Rather than writing the flat signs on the individual notes, we can now make use of the key signature. D Minor is the relative minor of F Major. You can work this out because D is the sixth note of F Major.
This means that they both share a key signature and have one flat, B flat.
Here is D minor written out with the key signature
D Minor Scale in Different Clefs
Treble Clef
Below is the D Natural Minor Scale written out in the treble clef, both ascending and descending.
Bass Clef
Below is the D Natural Minor Scale written out in the bass clef, both ascending and descending.
Alto Clef
Below is the D Natural Minor Scale written out in the alto clef, both ascending and descending.
Tenor Clef
Below is the D Natural Minor Scale written out in the tenor clef, both ascending and descending.
What is the Relative Major of D Minor
As you can see from the circle of fifths diagram D Minor is the relative minor of F Major. Or to say it another way: F Major is the relative major of D Minor. This means that F Major and D Minor share the same key signature and how one flat, Bb.
This means that both scale are identical except for the fact that D Minor start on an ‘D’ and F Major starts on a ‘F’.
What are the chords in the D Minor scale?
There are chords starting on each note of the A Minor Scale. To learn more, see our dedicated post onD Minor Chords.
What do we mean when we say a piece is ‘in the key of D Minor’?
If we say that a piece of music is in the key of D Minor, this means a few things:
The key signature will have one flat (Bb) as the relative major is F major.
The tonic (or root note) of the piece will be D natural. This note will sound the most stable in the whole piece.
The piece will mostly use notes from this scale, these could be in any octave.
The chords used will be those chords that are in D Minor.
What’s next….
Learn more about the different types of minor scales with our complete guide.
Learn about the circle of fifths and how it can help you better understand music theory.
The original Fantastic Four are C, G, F, and Am. They all belong in C Major as the I, V, IV, and vi diatonic chords, respectively. But there's a version of these four chords in all keys. In D Minor, your magical four chords are Dm, B♭, Gm, and A.
The D minor chord iv is the G minor chord, and contains the notes G, Bb, and D. This subdominant chord's root / starting note is the 4th note (or scale degree) of the D natural minor scale. The roman numeral for number 4 is 'iv' and is used to indicate this is the 4th triad chord in the scale.
Each minor scale is an ordered collection of half and whole steps, as follows: Natural minor: W‑H‑W‑W‑H‑W‑W (ascending)Harmonic minor: W‑H‑W‑W‑H‑3Hs‑H (ascending)Melodic minor: W‑H‑W‑W‑W‑W‑H (ascending) and W‑W‑H‑W‑W‑H‑W (descending).
Minor key signatures are formed from the natural minor form of the scale. Therefore, the key signature for D minor has only one flat: Bb. If a piece is using the harmonic or melodic forms of the minor scale, the "extra" accidentals are NOT included in the key signature.
Minor scales are built with a formula of half and whole steps as follows: W, H, W, W, H, W, W. Major scales are built with a formula of half and whole steps like this: W, W, H, W, W, W, H. Basically, they're built from a different sequence of half and whole steps, which changes the sound of the scale.
The relative major key of D minor is F major and the seventh note of D minor is C. Therefore, D harmonic minor has one flat (B♭) and C is raised to C♯.
The D Minor melodic scale, like all melodic scales, has a different set of notes on the descent than it does on the ascent. Climbing up the scale you have D, E, F, G, A, B, C sharp, and D.Coming back down you hit C, A sharp, A, G, F, E, and D.
In classical music, D minor is often used to convey a sense of tragedy or sorrow, while in rock and pop music, D minor has been used to create emotional intensity. Despite its reputation for being a sad or melancholic key, D minor can also convey tension, aggression, and other emotions.
In terms of difficulty, it's right in the middle of the pack—not as easy as E minor but nowhere near as hard as F major or B major. As with all minor chords, it's the same as the major version except that the 3rd note of the scale is lowered one fret.
The interval formula (2 - 1 - 2 - 2 - 1 - 2 - 2) can be expound into specific notes of the scale. The D Minor scale consists of seven notes. These can be described as intervals, as semi-notes or steps on the guitar fingerboard, written as 2 - 1 - 2 - 2 - 1 - 2 - 2 from the first note to the next octave.
How do you write the D major scale? The notes in the D major scale are: D, E, F#, G, A, B, C#, repeat D an octave higher. The signature has 2 sharps (F and C), and the scale (in treble clef) starts on the first space.
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