How to Play a D Major Scale on Piano

Playing a D major scale on piano requires that you glide over both black and white keys. The D major scale has only two sharps (F# and C#), making it a fairly simple scale to master. This scale shares the same key signature as B minor but need less finger crossing, which is why most pianists prefer to master this scale first, even though both scales involve the same exact notes. This scale is referred to as D Ionian in jazz circles and D major only in classical circles.

Difficulty: Moderately Easy

Instructions

1. Focus on your right hand only. Place your thumb on D4 and continue up the D major scale until you get to F#4 with your middle finger. Take your thumb and cross it under your middle finger to G4. Proceed to complete the scale up to D5. Your pinkie finger should land on D5, putting you exactly one octave above the original starting pitch. Rotate your right elbow outwards a bit in order to make the finger crossing go more smoothly and with more rapidity.

2. Descend the D major scale. Stop at G4 and cross your middle finger over your thumb to F#4. Continue downwards to the bottom of the scale ending up with your pinkie on D4. Repeat ascending and descending this scale three times.

3. Practice your left-hand pattern. Place your pinkie finger on D3. Ascend a perfect fifth interval from where you started. Cross your middle finger under your thumb to B4 and finish out the scale so your thumb lands on D4 as the final pitch.

4. Proceed down the D major scale. Cross your thumb under your middle finger on A4. Lift your wrist about one half inch during this crossing to avoid clashing the two fingers together. Continue downward until you reach D3 with your pinkie finger. Your left hand should be in the same exact position it began.

5. Practice the scale with both hands at the same time. Ascend the scale simultaneously at a tempo of no more than eighty beats per minute. Pay close attention to the finger crossings that come immediately after you reach the higher octave D pitch. Shift your elbows outward and raise your wrist to achieve maximum turning speed as you come back down the scale. Always practice the D major scale on piano with both hands unless you find one of your hands is lagging behind the other. If this is the case, take five to ten minutes to focus exclusively on the problem hand.

Tips & Warnings

• Once you master the D major at a slow tempo, begin to increase the tempo all the way up to 160 beats per minute.