Scale · Major Pentatonic

D Major Pentatonic Scale

The D major pentatonic scale strips the major scale to its five most consonant notes. Almost any combination sounds 'in-key' over a D chord.

D Major Pentatonic
DEF♯AB
▶ Open in scale explorer

Notes in D Major Pentatonic

The D Major Pentatonic scale contains D — E — F♯ — A — B. The interval pattern is the universal major pentatonic pattern, transposed to start on D.

How to use it

Open the interactive scale explorer above to see D Major Pentatonic on a piano keyboard, on a guitar fretboard, and to hear it played ascending or descending. The diatonic chord chips show the chords built from this scale.

Common uses

The D major pentatonic scale strips the major scale to its five most consonant notes. Almost any combination sounds 'in-key' over a D chord.

FAQs

What chords go with the D Major Pentatonic scale?

Open the scale explorer to see the seven diatonic chords built from this scale. Each chord chip plays back so you can hear the harmony.

How is D Major Pentatonic different from other scales on D?

The intervals between notes are different. D Major Pentatonic uses the major pentatonic interval pattern; switch to a different scale type in the explorer to hear how the same root sounds with major, minor, pentatonic, blues, and other patterns.

What's the relative key of D Major Pentatonic?

For major and minor scales, the relative is found three semitones away. D major and B minor share the same notes; D minor and F major share the same notes.

Related on MusoKit

Full scale explorer19 scales, modes, pentatonics, exotic. Piano + guitar. Chord finderBuild any chord on piano, guitar, or ukulele. Circle of fifthsSee how D connects to other keys and chords.