Chords in D flat Major are created from the D flat major scale. The notes in the D flat major scale are shown below along with the degree of the scale.
- Db – 1, Tonic
- Eb – 2, supertonic
- F – 3, mediant
- Gb – 4, subdominant
- Ab – 5, dominant
- Bb – 6, submediant
- C – 7, leading note
Chords in D Flat Major
As with all keys, we can create chords on each note of the Db major scale. Below you can see the D flat major scale and then the chords made from each note. Notice that we have Bb, Eb, Ab, Db and Gb in all the chords. This is because Db major has five flats in the key signature.
Each chord is also called a triad and consists of the root note, the 3rd above and the 5th above (in the scale). If we use this idea for every note of the scale, we get all 7 chords in the key of D flat major.
Here are the chords of Db major:
- I – Db major- Db, F, Ab
- ii – Eb minor- Eb, Gb, Bb
- iii – F minor, F, Ab, C
- IV – Gb major- Gb, Bb, Db
- V – Ab major, Ab, C, Eb
- vi – Bb minor- Bb, Db, F
- vii° – C diminished- C, Eb, Gb
As you can see, we can label each chord according to the root note and using Roman numerals. Learn more about Roman numeral chord labelling. For a lightning quick summary, upper case numerals are MAJOR, lower case are MINOR and the little circle means DIMINISHED.
Seventh Chords In D Flat Major
Notice that all of the chords labelled above are three note chords, otherwise known as triads. It is also possible to make four note chords on these different scale notes. These would be called seventh chords. The first note of the chord will stay the same but you will simply add an additional note, a seventh above the tonic. Take a look at the example below:
- Chord I, Db major seventh (Db – F – Ab – C).
- Chord ii, Eb minor seventh (Eb – Gb – Bb – Db).
- Chord iii, F minor seventh (F – Ab – C – Eb).
- Chord IV, Gb major seventh (Gb – Bb – Db – F).
- Chord V, Ab dominant seventh (Ab – C – Eb – Gb).
- Chord vi, Bb minor seventh (Bb – Db – F – Ab).
- Chord vii°, C minor seventh flat five (C – Eb – Gb – Bb).
Chord Progressions in D Flat Major
- I – IV – V (Db – Gb – Ab)
- I – vi – IV – V (Db – Bbm – Gb – Ab)
- ii – V – I (Ebm7 – Ab7 – Dbmaj7)
Ear Training and Chords
To develop as a musician you’ll want to be able to recognise chords by ear. This is where ear training comes in. My recommendation for this is Tonegym as they have a comprehensive and fun program for training your ears! It’s what has gotten the best results with for my own students.
In the ‘tools’ section of their site, Tonegym even have a chord player that allows you to listen virtually any chord.
For an in-depth look at ear training, here’s my full review of Tonegym.
Piano Chords in D Flat Major
If you are interested in playing the piano version of these chords then below are diagrams for all chords in D flat major.
Guitar Chords in D flat major
Here are the guitar charts for chords in D flat major. The numbers inside the green circle show a suggested fingering for each chord.
Chord Inversions
There are different versions of these chords that we could play called ‘inversions’. To invert a chord means to change the order of the notes by having the 3rd, 5th or 7th note as the lowest note in pitch. For more on chord inversions on this see our complete guide to chords.
What should I learn next?
Every major scale also has a relative minor. The relative minor scale of D flat major is B flat minor. Remember D flat major consists of the notes Db, Eb, F, Gb, Ab, Bb and C. B flat minor will also consist of these notes but starting on B flat. B flat minor will have the notes Bb, C, Db, Eb, F, Gb and Ab. These are exactly the same notes as the d flat major scale but in a different order.
To find out more about this scale, check out own guide to B Flat Minor.
