D Chinese scale
A pentatonic scale, 1–3–#4–5–7, with a major 3rd and augmented 4th; a bright sound with Lydian tension.
Octaves
Musical context
How the scale relates to the chord, mode, key and progression.
Theory
General info
- Name
- D Chinese scale
- Family
- Pentatonic scales
- Note count
- 5
- Step formula
- 4 – W – H – 4 – H
- Numeric formula
- 0-4-2-1-4-1
Notes & degrees
1Droot
3F#major 3rd
#4G#aug 4th
5Aperfect 5th
7C#major 7th
Construction
- Overview
- A pentatonic scale, 1–3–#4–5–7, with a major 3rd and augmented 4th; a bright sound with Lydian tension.
- Application in music
- The major 3rd establishes a major tonic, while the augmented 4th creates Lydian tension toward the perfect 5th.
- Interval formula
- D2WF#WG#HA2WC#
Tensions & resolutions
Stable degrees
IDpoint of resttonic
VAsupports the tonic sonorityfifth
Typical resolutions & tensions
VIIC#C#
IDD
In typical voice leading, the leading tone rises by semitone to tonic.
This scale on guitar 🎸
See how D Chinese scale looks on guitar.
Circle of fifths
The major key on the same tonic and its neighbouring keys on the circle of fifths.
Connections
Practice
Keyboard Trainer
Reinforce it in practice — play and name notes on the interactive keyboard.