The D-flat (Db) major scale on flute is the scale of the key of D-flat or five flats. This implies that its tonic note is D-flat. D-flat major is relative to the key of B-flat minor, parallel to the key of D-flat minor, dominant to the key of A-flat major, subdominant to the key of G-flat major, and enharmonic to C sharp major. Below is a two octaves scale of D-flat major on flute and how it sounds;
How to play the D-flat major scale on the flute, its notes, and fingering chat
You can only play a D-flat major scale of two octaves on the flute, being between the ranges of Db4 to Db6. You need to use a fingering chart or a particular pattern to play the D-flat major scale on the flute. Below is a guide and finger chart of how to play the D-flat major scale on the flute;
First octave D-flat major scale notes (Db4 – Db5) fingering chart for flute
To play the first octave (Db4 – Db5) D-flat major scale on the flute, you have to play all the notes naturally except for the B note, E note, A note, D note, and G note which you will have to flatten. Your fingering needs to be accurate in other to produce a perfect scale. Below is a chart for the first octave D-flat major scale on the flute;
Second octave D-flat major scale notes (Db5 – Db6) fingering chart for flute
To play the second octave (Db5 – Db6) D-flat major scale on the flute, you have to play all the notes naturally except for the B note, E note, A note, D note, and G note which you will have to flatten. Your fingering needs to be accurate in other to produce a perfect scale. Learning the scale might be hard for beginners. You will also have to tighten your lips to produce higher-pitched notes. Below is a chart for the second octave D-flat major scale on the flute;
Concert D-flat major scale
While playing the D-flat major scale, every note is played in its natural form except for the B note, E note, A note, D note and G note. This means that all notes except the B note, E note, A note, D note, and G note are played naturally while playing this scale on the concert flute, Indian or Bansuri flute, Native American flute, pan flute, Arabian flute, and any other flute.
If you play an alto flute or any other transposable flute, you can play the D-flat major scale without any transposition. But while running the D-flat major scale with another instrument that is not transposable, you will then have to transpose to the right key in other to sound the same with them in pitch.
D-flat major scale flute notes and arpeggio
The D-flat major scale can be played up to two octaves on a C flute, the standard concert flute. The first note of this scale on the C flute is the D-flat note on the first ledger space below the treble clef which in the range is the Db4.
The notes or alphabets that you will play to get this scale correctly include; Db, Eb, F, Gb, Ab, Bb, C, Db. The two-octave arpeggio of this scale has its notes as Db, F, Ab, Db, F, Ab, Db, Ab, F, Db, Ab, F, Db.
Notable flute compositions in D-flat major
- Caprice No. 23 in D-flat major from 26 Little Caprices, Op. 37 by J. Andersen
- Chaconne Op. 8 by C. Chaminade
- Clair de lune from Suite bergamasque, L. 75 by C. Debussy
- Di Provenza il mar, il suol from La traviata by G. Verdi
- Die Forelle D.550 by F. Schubert
- Duet No. 64 in D-flat major from Méthode de flûte, Op. 100 by J.-L. Tulou
- La fleur que tu m’avais jetée from Carmen by G. Bizet
- Love Theme from Romeo and Juliet, TH 42 by P.I. Tchaikovsky
- Minute Waltz from Trois valses, Op. 64, by F. Chopin
- Mon cœur s’ouvre à ta voix from Samson et Dalila, Op. 47 by C. Saint-Saëns
- Nocturne from Nocturne et Allegro Scherzando by P. Gaubert
- Nocturne in D-flat major Op. 27, No. 2 by F. Chopin
