D♭ major scale
The D♭ major scale, with its five flats (D♭, E♭, G♭, A♭, B♭), is known for its exceptionally warm and rich sonority. This scale is enharmonically equivalent to the C-sharp major scale and is often preferred by composers for its more intuitive flat-based notation.
The scale follows the major scale pattern: D♭ to E♭ (whole), E♭ to F (whole), F to G♭ (half), G♭ to A♭ (whole), A♭ to B♭ (whole), B♭ to C (whole), and C to D♭ (half). The five flats create a particularly smooth and mellow sonority.
D♭ major has been a favorite key for many Romantic composers, particularly in piano music. Its rich, velvety quality makes it ideal for expressive, lyrical passages, and its flat-based spelling is generally easier to read than its enharmonic equivalent C♯ major.
D♭ major scale details
Information and technical details of the scale.
- Category
- western
- Type
- Heptatonic (7 notes per octave)
- Intervals
- 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 1
- Formula
- 2-2-1-2-2-2-1
- Also known as
- D♭ Ionian scale, D♭ Ionian mode, D-flat major scale
- Enharmonic equivalents
Related scales
Here are some scales that are related to the D♭ major scale. Or browse all piano scales.
D♭ harmonic minor scale
2-1-2-2-1-3-1
D♭ melodic minor scale
2-1-2-2-2-2-1
D♭ natural minor scale
2-1-2-2-1-2-2