Db on piano: root position and inversions
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Root position D♭ – F – A♭ -
1st inversion F – A♭ – D♭ -
2nd inversion A♭ – D♭ – F
How to play Db on piano
- D♭ is the black key between C and D. That is the root.
- Add F (major 3rd above) and A♭ (perfect 5th above): press D♭, F and A♭ together.
- Right hand: thumb (1) on D♭, middle finger (3) on F, little finger (5) on A♭. Left hand: little finger (5), middle finger (3), thumb (1).
- For a smoother change between chords, try an inversion (the same notes with a different one at the bottom), shown above.
Finger numbers: 1 thumb to 5 little finger. Fingering varies with hand size; these are common defaults.
Db notes and intervals
| Note | Formula | Interval from the root |
|---|---|---|
| D♭ | 1 | root |
| F | 3 | major 3rd |
| A♭ | 5 | perfect 5th |
Inversions: the same notes with another one in the bass, written as slash chords: D♭/F (1st inversion) and D♭/A♭ (2nd inversion).
Db on guitar and ukulele
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D♭ guitar chord x43121 -
D♭ on ukulele 1114
Which keys use Db?
D♭ is one of the basic chords of 6 keys. Its number (Roman numeral) and job change with the key:
| Key | Written | Numeral | Function |
|---|---|---|---|
| A♭ major | D♭ | IV | predominant |
| F minor | D♭ | VI | tonic or predominant |
| D♭ major | D♭ | I | tonic |
| B♭ minor | D♭ | III | tonic |
| F♯ major | C♯ | V | dominant |
| D♯ minor | C♯ | VII | dominant |
| F♯ minor | C♯ | V | dominant (harmonic minor) |
Progressions with Db
- I–IV–V–I in A♭ major: A♭ – D♭ – E♭ – A♭ The basic cadence: tonic, predominant, dominant, tonic.
- I–V–vi–IV in A♭ major: A♭ – E♭ – Fm – D♭ The four-chord pop progression (also called the Axis progression).
- vi–IV–I–V in A♭ major: Fm – D♭ – A♭ – E♭ The same four chords, starting on the minor vi.
- I–vi–IV–V in A♭ major: A♭ – Fm – D♭ – E♭ The '50s or doo-wop progression.
- I–IV–vi–V in A♭ major: A♭ – D♭ – Fm – E♭ The four chords of I–V–vi–IV in another order.