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The D major scale
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The D major scale
Discover the scale with two sharps and begin to understand the pattern of the major scales
Every one of the 12 major scales has its own unique set of sharps or flats. The collection of sharps or flats found in a scale is known as the key signature, which in written music is situated right next to the clef at the beginning of each line of music. So far you have learnt to play three different major scales: C major (no sharps or flats), F major (one flat) and G major (one sharp). F major, containing one flat, is followed by a scale containing two flats. Likewise, the scale that follows
G major has two sharps. This scale is D major.
You may begin to notice a pattern emerging here concerning the scales that contain sharps. First you learned C major, the scale without sharps (or flats). Then came G major containing one sharp (F#). Next you will learn the scale with two sharps, D major. The pattern surfacing is that there are exactly five notes between each of the scales. Start with C (no sharps or flats), count up five notes (C-DE-F-G) and you arrive at G (one sharp = F#). Count up another five notes (G-A-B-C-D) and you arrive at D (two sharps = F# and C#). This pattern continues, adding a sharp each time and is what is known as the circle (or cycle) of fifths – see page 60 for more information on it.
The F# in the D major scale replaces the F, with the C# played instead of C. Just remember to locate the sharps on the piano before you begin to play the scale.
1 2 3 1 2 3 4 5 5 4 3 2 1 3 2 1
5 4 3 2 1 3 2 1 1 2 3 1 2 3 4 5
01 The right hand
Begin with your thumb on the D just above middle C. Play the following notes to ascend up the scale: D (1), E (2), F# (3), G (1) (tucked), A (2), B (3), C# (4) and D (5). You’ll notice the pattern is identical to C major. Descend in the reverse order.
02 The left hand
Starting on the D key two octaves below the one used for right hand, play the following notes: D (5), E (4), F# (3), G (2), A (1), B (3), C# (2) and D (1). Again, the pattern is the same as that of C major. Descend in reverse.
