D Harmonic Major at a glance
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 |
| Chords in the key | DE°F♯mGmAB♭+C♯° |
Chords in the D Harmonic Major scale
These are the chords that naturally form on each degree of the scale. Click a chord to open its dedicated page.
D Harmonic Major on the piano
Improvisation drone · D
Loop the root note as a pad to practice improvising over this scale.
On the piano D Harmonic Major uses three black keys (F♯, B♭ and C♯) and four white.
D · E · F♯ · G · A · B♭ · C♯
Play D Harmonic Major on the online piano
Free, in your browser: play with the mouse, your computer keyboard or a USB MIDI keyboard. No sign-up.
D Harmonic Major on the guitar
D Harmonic Major - fr 0–12
D Harmonic Major on the staff
Notes of the D Harmonic Major scale
| Degree | Note | Interval | Semitones | Hear |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | D | unison1P | 0 | |
| 2 | E | major 2nd2M | 2 | |
| 3 | F♯ | major 3rd3M | 4 | |
| 4 | G | perfect 4th4P | 5 | |
| 5 | A | perfect 5th5P | 7 | |
| 6 | B♭ | minor 6th6m | 8 | |
| 7 | C♯ | major 7th7M | 11 |
What makes D Harmonic Major different
Harmonic major is the major scale with a lowered sixth, the one note that separates it from major. The ♭6 opens an augmented second between the sixth and seventh degrees, the same gap harmonic minor has, but over a major tonic. It changes the subdominant: the iv chord is minor while V stays major, so the minor iv to I cadence is built into the scale. Its ♭VI chord is augmented. On D, D Harmonic Major has B♭ where D Major has B; every other note is shared with D Major (D E F♯ G A B C♯).
How to use the D Harmonic Major scale
The diatonic chords of D Harmonic Major are: I = D, ii° = E°, iii = F♯m, iv = Gm, 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. Each one in the chord table on this page opens its own 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.
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.
Where you will hear D Harmonic Major
Start with the music described above: listen for D Harmonic Major in it and transcribe a few short phrases by ear. It's the quickest way to learn how the scale sounds.
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°, F♯m, Gm, 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 you play the D Harmonic Major scale on the piano?
On the piano D Harmonic Major uses three black keys (F♯, B♭ and C♯) and four white.
What is the difference between D Harmonic Major and D Major?
On D, D Harmonic Major has B♭ where D Major has B; every other note is shared with D Major (D E F♯ G A B C♯).
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.