music theory
Note, Scale, Chord… explained simply
music theory
Note, Scale, Chord… explained simply

Db major: Key Signature, Scale and Chords

Circle of fifths with Db major (5 ♭): chords of the key highlighted on the wheel

Db major has 5 ♭ (Bb, Eb, Ab, Db, Gb) in its key signature.

The Db major scale is: Db Eb F Gb Ab Bb C Db.

The diatonic chords are Db (I), Ebm (ii), Fm (iii), Gb (IV), Ab (V), Bbm (vi) and Cdim (vii°). The main functions are Db (tonic), Gb (subdominant) and Ab (dominant).

The relative minor is Bb minor. In the circle of fifths, Gb major (a fifth lower) and Ab major (a fifth higher) sit right next to Db major.

Db major is a favourite on the piano even though it has five flats. Debussy's "Clair de lune" and Chopin's "Raindrop" Prelude (Op. 28 No. 15) are in Db major.

All keys at a glance

Table with key signatures and all diatonic chords. Click a key to open its own page.

Back to the overview: Circle of Fifth

Mnemonic for sharp keys: Good Dogs Always Eat Big Fat Cats

Mnemonic for flat keys: Fat Bears Eat Apples Daily Getting Chubby

KeyKey signatureIiiiiiIVVvivii°
C majorA minornoneCDmEmFGAmBdim
G majorE minor1 ♯F#GAmBmCDEmF#dim
D majorB minor2 ♯F#, C#DEmF#mGABmC#dim
A majorF# minor3 ♯F#, C#, G#ABmC#mDEF#mG#dim
E majorC# minor4 ♯F#, C#, G#, D#EF#mG#mABC#mD#dim
B majorG# minor5 ♯F#, C#, G#, D#, A#BC#mD#mEF#G#mA#dim
F# majorD# minor6 ♯F#, C#, G#, D#, A#, E#F#G#mA#mBC#D#mE#dim
C# majorA# minor7 ♯F#, C#, G#, D#, A#, E#, B#C#D#mE#mF#G#A#mB#dim
F majorD minor1 ♭BbFGmAmBbCDmEdim
Bb majorG minor2 ♭Bb, EbBbCmDmEbFGmAdim
Eb majorC minor3 ♭Bb, Eb, AbEbFmGmAbBbCmDdim
Ab majorF minor4 ♭Bb, Eb, Ab, DbAbBbmCmDbEbFmGdim
Db majorBb minor5 ♭Bb, Eb, Ab, Db, GbDbEbmFmGbAbBbmCdim
Gb majorEb minor6 ♭Bb, Eb, Ab, Db, Gb, CbGbAbmBbmCbDbEbmFdim
Cb majorAb minor7 ♭Bb, Eb, Ab, Db, Gb, Cb, FbCbDbmEbmFbGbAbmBbdim

Free Online Exercises

Interactive carousel with 4 music theory exercises. Use the arrow keys or swipe to move between the exercises.