D Minor Scale Keys

The D minor scale keys are D, E, F, G, A, B♭, and C. The notes in D minor scale has 6 natural notes and a flat. Like all other minor scales, it has a relative major and a parallel major. The relative major is F major and the parallel major is D major.

D Minor Scale Degrees

The scale degrees are the positions of the notes on a scale. The seven notes D, E, F, G, A, B♭, and C are called the D minor scale when they are positioned like a minor. It must have a tonic. The degrees tie the scale notes to a mediant and name them according to their position and function. 

1. The Tonic is a name that is not relative to the position and it is independently placed at the beginning of the minor scale. Here, the tonic is the D.
2. Supertonic is a relative position. Supertonic is named after its relative position to the Tonic. It resides above the tonic, thus the prefix “super” is given.  The note higher than the tonic is Supertonic E.
3. Irrespective of the position of all other notes the Mediant is a name given to the third minor note. In D minor scale the third minor note is F
4. Subdominant is a position named according to its relative positioning with the dominant. The Sub-dominant is below the dominant here the note G is Subdominant. 
5. Irrespective of the positions of other notes the Dominant in the minor scale lies at the fifth position. The dominant of the D minor scale is A.
6. Submediant is the name given to the note at the sixth position which is below mediant. Bb is a flat mediant at the sixth position of the D minor scale. 
7. Subtonic is the note below the tonic note in the D minor scale. Here the C is the Subtonic in the sixth position.
8. The octave of the D minor scale is higher-pitched D.

D Minor Scale Intervals

The scale intervals are the difference between the notes of the scale. Usually, the intervals are melodic and harmonic if they are successive or simultaneous notes respectively. 

1. The first note of the natural minor scale is Tonic D. 
2. The second interval of the D minor scale is the major E at the second position.
3. The note F in the 3rd position of the D minor scale is a major. 
4. In the 4th position, we get a perfect note G which means it is a perfectly consonant interval.
5. The fifth note of the D minor scale is a perfect interval note again. 
6. Bb note of the D minor scale is a minor note found in the sixth position. 
7. The seventh note of the D minor scale is the minor C note.
8. The inversion of a perfect note is always a perfect note. At a higher octave of D minor scale, the D minor note is the last note. 

D minor Scale As a Minor Scale

The D minor scale is like other minor scales which have a relative major. The relative major is no different than the natural minor according to the notes which are used in the scale. The notes are F, G, A, B♭, C, D, and E. The same notes are used in the minor scale apart from one submediant note at the sixth position which is a flat note. 

The notes of the D minor scale whether it is used in D minor scale follow the gaps as a whole and half steps. These are gaps between notes. Wholes are double half steps or semitones. W-H-W-W-H-W-W is the formula for the whole and half steps in the D minor scale.

1. From F to G it is a whole Step where they skip a half step or a semi note. 
2.  D, E, F, G, A, B♭, and C are the notes and going from E to F, one does not have to skip a semitone. This means that E  and F are adjacent keys on the piano.
3. Skipping a half note makes it a whole step. From F to G it is a whole step that needs to skip a note in between. 
4. From G to A, it is a whole step again, that skips a key or a half step in between. 
5. From A to Bb it is a half step again. It does not skip any semitone.
6. Reaching C, one has to skip a note in between which makes it a whole step. 
7. From C to the last note of the octave, D comes after skipping a half step or a semitone in between, making it a whole step to reach a higher octave. 

Playing the D Minor Scale

The D minor scale can be played on Guitar and also on different types of instruments. Nevertheless, the D minor scale can be played conveniently. Playing the D minor scale on the piano will require the learner to follow certain rules with respect to the fingers to be used for each note. The number of coding of the fingers is crucial here. The numbers 1, 2,3,4, and 5 are used to denote thumb, index finger, middle finger, ring finger, and little finger. 

Left Hand:

• The rules for the left hand are  5, 4, 3, 2, 1, 3, 2, 1.
• This connotes the little finger, ring finger, middle finger, ring finger, and thumb should be used to play D, E, F, G,  and A respectively.
• The Middle finger, Index finger, and thumb are used to play Bb, C, and D respectively. 

Right Hand:

• The fingering rule for Right Hand is 1, 2, 3, 1, 2, 3, 4, 5.
• This implies the notes D, E, and F are played by the Thumb, Index finger, and Middle Finger.
• Again, the Thumb, Index finger, and Middle Finger are used to play  G, A, and Bb respectively.
• C and D are played using the ring finger and the little finger.

Emotional Tone of the D Minor Scale 

The earnest tune of the combination of D minor notes appear humorless. Often they imply a devoted feeling in life.  Catastrophe is also a character that helps to form lyrics that frown and create melancholy. The notes are a perfect choice for composing feminine music, often grumpy worries, retrospective ideas can be merged in the lyrics. Snappish thoughts lead to music and wordings that are parallel to D Minor scale notes.