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Piano Scales -D Minor Harmonic and Melodic

You can find an updated page with all harmonic and melodic minor scales here

D Harmonic Minor Scale Two Octaves

D minor is the relative minor of F major. This means that it shares the same key signature, in this case - B flat. In any harmonic minor scale, the seventh degree of the scale is raised by a semitone. In this case D is the first degree of the scale, E is the second, F is the third and so on. This means that the seventh degree of the scale in D minor is C. When it is raised by a semitone it becomes C sharp. This means you end up playing two black keys in a D harmonic minor scale - B flat (because of the key signature) and C sharp (because of the raised 7th). See the sheet music below and the demonstration video:
D Harmonic Minor Piano Scale

D Melodic Minor Scale Two Octaves

With D minor melodic, the relative major is still F major, so there is still a B flat in the key signature, but the accidentals are slightly different from the harmonic form of the scale. Melodic minor scales have slightly different notes ascending and descending.

In any melodic minor scale the sixth and seventh degrees of the scale are raised by a semitone during the ascending part. Taking into consideration the key signature, the sixth degree of the scale of D minor is B flat. If you raise it by a semitone you get B natural. The seventh degree of the scale is C. Raising it by a semitone makes it C sharp.

On the descending part of the scale you no longer play the raised 6th and 7th degrees of the scale. Instead you just follow the key signature, i.e. play B flat but no C sharp.

This means that going up the scale you play one black key - C sharp. Coming back down the scale you play a different black key - B flat.

See the sheet music and demonstration video below:
D Melodic Minor Sheet Music for Piano
Learn more about minors: ​Relative Majors and Minors - How to Work Out Minor Keys
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Qualified graduate piano teacher.
Fellow of The Incorporated Society of Musicians.
More than 25 years of experience teaching piano and music theory in person and online.
  • Home
  • Reviews
  • Videos
  • Articles & Tutorials
  • About
  • Fees & Payments
    • Fees
    • Make a Payment
  • Learn Online
    • Beginner's Piano Lesson Package
    • Classical Compilation
    • Free Downloads
    • How to Play Fast eBook and Studies
    • Instruction Video and PDFs - Berens Study in A Minor
    • Music Theory Tutorials
    • Online Music Theory Lessons
    • Online Piano Lessons by Video Exchange
    • Piano Tutorials
    • Skype/FaceTime Lessons
    • Shop
    • Zoom Lessons for Adults
    • Zoom Lessons for Children
  • Contact