D Major Pentatonic Scale
The D major pentatonic scale contains D – E – F# – A – B. It is D major without its 4th (G) and 7th (C#), so it is usually written in the key signature of D major: 2 sharps: F# and C#.
D major pentatonic scale chart
Pentatonic and blues scales have no standard book fingering, so none is shown here. Pick fingers that keep your thumb off the black keys.
D major pentatonic vs D major
| Degree | 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | 5 | 6 | 7 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Major | D | E | F# | G | A | B | C# |
| Pentatonic | D | E | F# | – | A | B | – |
G and C# are the two notes of D major that sit a half step from a neighbour. Without them the scale has no half steps at all, which is why it is so hard to play a wrong note with it. Its relative is B minor pentatonic, which uses the same five keys starting from B.
What D major pentatonic is used for
It is a go-to for melodies and solos in country, folk, pop and rock. Every note belongs to D major, so it fits over the chords in the key of D major, and with no half steps nothing clashes for long. Start and end phrases on D, F# or A, the notes of the D chord, to sound settled.
Notes and intervals
| Note | Degree | Interval from D | Semitones |
|---|---|---|---|
| D | 1 | root | 0 |
| E | 2 | major 2nd | 2 |
| F# | 3 | major 3rd | 4 |
| A | 5 | perfect 5th | 7 |
| B | 6 | major 6th | 9 |
Step pattern
The major pentatonic scale is built from the pattern W – W – W+H – W – W+H (W = whole step, H = half step, W+H = three semitones). Apply that pattern from any starting note and you get the same scale in a different key.
Key signature
D major has 2 sharps: F# and C#. The pentatonic plays D, E, F#, A and B, so G and C# simply never sound.
Chords using only these notes
Five notes leave room for few chords, so each of these can be played with D major pentatonic alone.
| Chord | Notes |
|---|---|
| D | D F# A |
| Dsus2 | D E A |
| Dmaj6 | D F# A B |
| Esus2 | E F# B |
| Esus4 | E A B |
| Asus2 | A B E |
| Asus4 | A D E |
| Bm | B D F# |
| Bm7 | B D F# A |
| Bsus4 | B E F# |
More scales on D
Major Pentatonic scale in other keys
Frequently asked questions
What notes are in the D major pentatonic scale?
The D major pentatonic scale contains D, E, F#, A, B, then returns to D an octave higher.
Which notes does D major pentatonic leave out of D major?
The 4th, G, and the 7th, C#. What remains is D, E, F#, A, B.
What is the relative minor pentatonic of D major pentatonic?
B minor pentatonic. It uses the same five keys, with B as its tonic.
What is the step pattern of the major pentatonic scale?
It follows the pattern W – W – W+H – W – W+H, where W is a whole step (two semitones), H is a half step (one semitone) and W+H is three semitones.