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D♭ major (D♭) on guitar

The D♭ major scale consists of the notes D♭ – E♭ – F – G♭ – A♭ – B♭ – C and has 5 flats. Below you can see every usable note on the neck up to fret 15.

D♭ majorMajor scale

♪ Click a note on the fretboard to hear its sound.

E
B
G
D
A
E
0123•45•67•89•101112••131415•
Root noteOther notes
Click a note to hear it · frets 0–15

Chords in D♭ major

Common progression: D♭ – A♭ – B♭m – G♭ (I–V–vi–IV).

Quick overview

Root note
D♭
Mode
major
Key signature
5 flats
Pentatonic
D♭ E♭ F A♭ B♭
Relative key
B♭ minor

Well-known songs in D♭ major

  • Mr. BrightsideThe Killers
  • Someone You LovedLewis Capaldi
  • Sweet Child O' MineGuns N' Roses

Key of the original recording; live versions or covers may differ.

CAGED positions

With the CAGED system you play D♭ in five positions across the whole neck. Each shape connects to the next.

  • C shapearound fret 1 · root on A string, fret 4
  • A shapearound fret 4 · root on A string, fret 4
  • G shapearound fret 6 · root on low E string, fret 9
  • E shapearound fret 9 · root on low E string, fret 9
  • D shapearound fret 11 · root on D string, fret 11

Learn D♭ major in 5 steps

  1. Step 1

    Find the root note D♭

    Find D♭ on the low E string (fret 9) and on the A string (fret 4). Play them alternately and say the name out loud. Every pattern below hangs off these two points.

  2. Step 2

    Play the main chords

    Learn the three most important chords: D♭ (I), G♭ (IV) and A♭ (V). Switch between them at a slow tempo until you can play through without stopping.

  3. Step 3

    Learn the pentatonic in box 1

    The major pentatonic (D♭ E♭ F A♭ B♭) is the first pattern to learn. Put your index finger around fret 6 and play two notes per string, from the low E to the high e and back.

  4. Step 4

    Extend to the full scale

    Add the two missing notes (G♭ and C) in the same position. Now you're playing all seven notes of Des majeur: D♭ E♭ F G♭ A♭ B♭ C.

  5. Step 5

    Improvise over a chord progression

    Record D♭ – A♭ – B♭m – G♭ (or ask someone to play it) and solo over it using box 1. End your phrases on D♭ and listen to how that "coming home" sounds.

Playing D♭ major with a capo

Go to the capo guide

Solo tips for D♭ major

  1. Start with the major pentatonic scale (D♭ E♭ F A♭ B♭). The best-known "box" pattern starts on the root D♭ on the low E string, fret 9.
  2. End your phrases on the root D♭ for a resolved feeling, or on the third F and fifth A♭ for tension.
  3. Add the blue note F♭ as a passing note for a bluesy sound — don't linger on it too long.
  4. Over the A♭ chord (the V) deliberately play the notes of that chord to make the chord changes audible.

Frequently asked questions about D♭ major

Which notes are in Des majeur?

Des majeur (D♭) consists of the notes D♭, E♭, F, G♭, A♭, B♭, C. The key signature has 5 flats.

Which chords fit Des majeur?

The diatonic chords in Des majeur are D♭, E♭m, Fm, G♭, A♭, B♭m, Cdim. You can freely combine them; they all sound good within the key.

What is the relative key of Des majeur?

The relative key is B♭ minor. It uses exactly the same notes and key signature, just with a different tonal centre.

Which pentatonic scale do you use in Des majeur?

Use the major pentatonic scale: D♭, E♭, F, A♭, B♭. It avoids the "tricky" half-step intervals and almost always sounds good.

How do I find D♭ on the guitar neck?

You'll find the root D♭ on the low E string at fret 9 and on the A string at fret 4, among other places.