D♭ Harmonic Major scale
The D♭ Harmonic Major scale is a 7-note harmonic major scale built on the root D♭. Its notes are D♭, E♭, F, G♭, A♭, B𝄫 and C. Major scale with a flat sixth - bright tonic with a darker undertone, popular in modern jazz. This page covers the formula, fingerings, diatonic chords and common progressions that make D♭ Harmonic Major a great tool for improvising and composing.
Harmonic major is a modern jazz favourite - mixes the brightness of major with the colour of a flat sixth. Also shows up in film scoring and progressive metal. Built on the root D♭, the scale takes on the specific colour and pitch range of that key - making it especially useful in genres and registers where D♭ is a comfortable tonal centre.
- Notes
- D♭ · E♭ · F · G♭ · A♭ · B𝄫 · C
- Formula
- 1P · 2M · 3M · 4P · 5P · 6m · 7M
- Step pattern
- W W H W H W+H H
- Tonic
- D♭
D♭ Harmonic Major on the piano
D♭ Harmonic Major on the guitar
D♭ Harmonic Major on the staff
Hear the D♭ Harmonic Major scale
Improvisation drone
Loop the root note as a pad to practice improvising over this scale.
Notes of the D♭ Harmonic Major scale
| Degree | Interval | Semitones | Note | Hear |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | 1P | 0 | D♭(Db) | |
| 2 | 2M | 2 | E♭(Eb) | |
| 3 | 3M | 4 | F | |
| 4 | 4P | 5 | G♭(Gb) | |
| 5 | 5P | 7 | A♭(Ab) | |
| 6 | 6m | 8 | B𝄫(Bbb) | |
| 7 | 7M | 11 | C |
Diatonic chords of D♭ Harmonic Major
These are the chords that naturally form on each degree of the scale. Click a chord to open its dedicated page.
How to use the D♭ Harmonic Major scale
The diatonic chords of D♭ Harmonic Major are: I = D♭, ii° = E♭°, iii = Fm, iv = G♭m, V = A♭, VI+ = B𝄫+, vii° = C°. These seven chords belong naturally to the key and are the safest harmonic vocabulary when writing songs in D♭ Harmonic Major. Click any chord below to open its full diagram and progressions.
Harmonic major is a modern jazz favourite - mixes the brightness of major with the colour of a flat sixth. Also shows up in film scoring and progressive metal.
Practice tips
Highlight the flat sixth over a major triad - it's the only note that distinguishes harmonic major from the standard major scale.
Where you will hear D♭ Harmonic Major
D♭ Harmonic Major appears throughout harmonic major is a modern jazz favourite - mixes the brightness of major with the colour of a flat sixth. also shows up in film scoring and progressive metal. Listening to music in this scale and transcribing short phrases is the fastest way to absorb its sound.
Formula & step pattern
The D♭ Harmonic Major scale follows a major scale with a flat sixth degree, blending major brightness with minor color. Step pattern: W - W - H - W - H - W+H - H. Intervals from the root: 1P · 2M · 3M · 4P · 5P · 6m · 7M. Memorising the formula lets you transpose the scale to any other root note quickly.
Questions people ask
- What notes are in the D♭ Harmonic Major scale?
- The D♭ Harmonic Major scale contains D♭, E♭, F, G♭, A♭, B𝄫 and C.
- What is the formula for the D♭ Harmonic Major scale?
- D♭ Harmonic Major follows a major scale with a flat sixth degree, blending major brightness with minor color.
- Is D♭ Harmonic Major a major or minor scale?
- D♭ Harmonic Major is a harmonic major scale. Major scale with a flat sixth - bright tonic with a darker undertone, popular in modern jazz.
- What chords belong to the D♭ Harmonic Major scale?
- The diatonic chords of D♭ Harmonic Major are D♭, E♭°, Fm, G♭m, A♭, B𝄫+, C°.
- Which genres use D♭ Harmonic Major?
- Harmonic major is a modern jazz favourite - mixes the brightness of major with the colour of a flat sixth. Also shows up in film scoring and progressive metal.
- How do I practise the D♭ Harmonic Major scale?
- Highlight the flat sixth over a major triad - it's the only note that distinguishes harmonic major from the standard major scale.