About the D Major Scale (Ionian)
The D major scale is a 7-note scale. The foundation of Western music theory. Its notes are D, E, F#, G, A, B and C#, built from the formula 1 2 3 4 5 6 7.
- Notes
- D – E – F# – G – A – B – C#
- Formula
- 1 2 3 4 5 6 7
- Steps
- W W H W W W H (2–2–1–2–2–2–1 semitones)
- Root
- D
D Major Scale (Ionian) degrees and intervals
| Degree | Note | Interval |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | D | Root |
| 2 | E | Major 2nd |
| 3 | F# | Major 3rd |
| 4 | G | Perfect 4th |
| 5 | A | Perfect 5th |
| 6 | B | Major 6th |
| 7 | C# | Major 7th |
Where to play the D Major Scale (Ionian) on 6-string bass
Frets 0–12 in standard tuning (B E A D G C), lowest string first. Root notes (D) are highlighted; the pattern repeats from the 12th fret up.
| String | Frets |
|---|---|
| B0 | 0, 2, 3, 5, 7, 8, 10, 12 |
| E1 | 0, 2, 3, 5, 7, 9, 10, 12 |
| A1 | 0, 2, 4, 5, 7, 9, 10, 12 |
| D2 | 0, 2, 4, 5, 7, 9, 11, 12 |
| G2 | 0, 2, 4, 6, 7, 9, 11, 12 |
| C3 | 1, 2, 4, 6, 7, 9, 11 |
How to practice the major scale
- Master the 3-note-per-string patterns
- Practice scale sequences (3rds, 4ths)
- Work on position shifts while playing
- Play over I-IV-V progressions
- Focus on resolving to the root note
Scales with the same notes as D Major Scale (Ionian)
These scales share every note with the D major scale but start from a different root, so the same shapes work over different chords.
Major scale in other keys
Other scales in D
- D Minor Pentatonic
- D Major Pentatonic
- D Mixolydian Pentatonic
- D Natural Minor
- D Blues
- D Dorian
- D Mixolydian
- D Phrygian
- D Harmonic Minor
- D Lydian
- D Locrian
- D Diminished (Half-Whole)
- D Diminished (Whole-Half)
- D Whole Tone
- D Augmented (Hexatonic)
- D Altered (Super Locrian)
- D Phrygian Dominant
- D Lydian Dominant
- D Mixolydian ♭6 (Hindu)
- D Bebop Dominant
- D Quartal (Stacked 4ths)
- D Quartal Minor (Stacked 4ths)