How to Play the D Flat Scale on Piano

The D Flat scale, used in compositions by everyone from Chopin to Tchaikovsky, or Rick Astley to Guns N' Roses, gets its sound from a large number of flat notes. If you improvise more on black piano keys than white, this one is for you; in fact, all of the black keys will be used, plus two white. Those who like D Flat should be able to memorize it and use it for improvisations instantly.

Difficulty: Moderately Easy

Instructions

Things You'll Need:

• piano or keyboard
• basic understanding of musical notes

Playing D Flat

1. 

   Note the tones you will be playing for the scale: D flat, E flat, F, G flat, A flat, B flat, and C. Also look at the how the key signature is listed after the treble clef sign so you will recognize it on paper. Again, all of the black keys are used on the piano for this scale. The two notes on white keys are C and F.

2. Find middle C on the piano. The first black key to its right will be the first of the seven notes: D flat. Play this, followed by the next black key: E flat.

3. Locate F, the white key immediately to the left of the grouping of three black keys. This is your next note.

4. Play each of the three black keys that follow: G flat, A flat, and B flat. You are almost done!

5. Finish by playing the next C, one octave above middle C. Now you can play from any octave once you have located a D flat. Remember that every black key can be used, plus the white keys C and F. Repeat as needed.

Tips & Warnings

• Take your time at first, then experiment with the order and tempo of your notes. Enjoy!