The D Minor scale consists of seven notes, namely D, E, F, G, A, Bb and C. It is typically notated as commencing and concluding on D, and it can be repeated at higher or lower octaves. It belongs to a key, which is D Minor in this case, and is classified as a diatonic scale. There are three variations of the minor scale: the natural minor, harmonic minor, and melodic minor. For this post, we will focus on the D Natural Minor Scale, but you can explore the D Harmonic Minor and D Melodic Minor in our other articles.
Contents
HOW TO CREATE THE D NATURAL MINOR SCALE
Every Natural Minor scale adheres to a specific sequence of tones and semitones (whole steps and half steps).
The sequence is as follows: 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.
D NATURAL MINOR SCALE ON THE PIANO
If we were to play this scale on the piano, we would only need to use one black key for the note B flat.
To play this scale on the piano use the fingers written below.
D NATURAL MINOR SCALE ON THE GUITAR
You can use the tab below to play the D Natural Minor scale on the guitar
DEGREES OF THE SCALE: D MINOR
Each note in the D Minor scale has a degree position. The initial note of the scale is known as the ‘tonic’ note.
KEY SIGNATURE FOR D MINOR
Instead of writing flat signs on each note, we can use the key signature. F Major and D Minor are relative to each other. You can determine this because D is the sixth note of F Major. Therefore, they have the same key signature with only one flat, which is B flat.
Here is C 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.
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.
If you’re interested in learning more about music scales, chords, and musical theory, visit our Guitar tunio today
