Scale guide
D major pentatonic · Five notes with F sharp
In one sentence: D-E-F#-A-B introduces one black key while keeping the simple major-pentatonic map.
Only F# appears on a black key; the rest of the scale sits on white keys.
The five-note map
The formula is 1-2-3-5-6. It comes from D major and leaves out G, degree 4, and C#, degree 7.
F# is the major third: do not replace it with F natural.
Distances: 2-2-3-2-3 semitones back to D.
How to play it
Right hand: up 1-2-3-1-2-3; down 3-2-1-3-2-1. Two octaves: 1-2-3-1-2-3-1-2-3-1-2 up; 3-2-1-3-2-1-3-2-1-3-2 down.
Left hand: up 5-4-3-2-1-3; down 1-2-3-4-1-2. Two octaves: 5-4-3-2-1-3-2-1-3-2-1 up; 1-2-3-4-1-2-3-4-1-2-3 down.
Keep the finger curved on F# and prepare the change before F#-A.
Turn it into music
Keep the motif's rhythm and change the order of its notes.
Try the map over D-G-A. End on D to close; end on E or B to leave the phrase open.
What you are learning
- The third, F#, establishes D's major sound.
- The pentatonic leaves out G (4) and C# (7), not every black key in the key signature.
- A motif can change its notes while keeping its rhythm.
Common mistakes
- Playing F natural: this changes the third and the map's color.
- Tensing on the black key: move the hand gently into the keyboard.
- Rushing at F#-A: prepare the thumb.
- Always running the whole scale: work with three-note motifs.
Quick check
- I can find D-E-F#-A-B
- I can distinguish F# from F natural
- I can play one octave with each hand
- I can vary a motif without changing its rhythm
- I hear D as the landing point
Keep this: one black key is enough to learn how the same map moves to a new place on the keyboard.