D Flat Major Scale (D Flat Ionian) on the Guitar – 5 CAGED Positions, Tabs and Theory

The notes in the D flat major scale are:

Db – Eb – F – Gb – Ab – Bb – C

The D Flat Major Scale contains 5 flats. They are:

Db – Eb – Gb – Ab – Bb

The relative minor of Db Major is Bb minor.

If you are interested in learning about modes and guitar scales, it should be pointed out that the Db Major scale is effectively the same scale as the Db ionian scale. For the purpose of the series of lessons on guitar modes, we are going to treat Db ionian and Db Major as an identical scale.

If you are unsure of what a major scale or ionian mode is, click on the link to the lessons.

Let’s look at the 5 CAGED positions for the Db Major scale, as well as the open position.

Db Major Scale CAGED Positions

Here are the 5 CAGED positions for the Db Major scale on the guitar (notes and tabs).

Db Major Scale in the 1st Position (lowest fret is 1)

Db Major Scale 1st Position Frets
Db Major Scale 1st Position Notes

Db Major Scale in the 2nd Position (lowest fret is 2)

Db Major Scale 2nd Position Frets
Db Major Scale 2nd Position Notes

Db Major Scale in the 5th Position (lowest fret is 5)

Db Major Scale 5th Position Frets
Db Major Scale 5th Position Notes

Db Major Scale in the 8th Position (lowest fret is 8)

Db Major Scale 8th Position Frets
Db Major Scale 8th Position Notes

Db Major Scale in the 9th Position (lowest fret is 9)

Db Major Scale 9th Position Frets
Db Major Scale 9th Position Notes

There are all the Db Major scale positions on the fretboard.

How to Use the Db Major Scale

For the purpose of improvising, the Db Major scale can be used over the Db Major chord, the Db Major 7 chord, as well as other chords within the key of D Major.

Chords in the Key of Db Major

The key of Db Major contains the following chords (triads and 7th chords):

Modes Of The Db Major Scale

There are 7 modes in the key of Db. We can produce these modes by playing the notes of the Db Major scale, while starting on different notes of the scale. For example, to play the Eb dorian mode, we start on the note Eb and then play the notes of the Db Major scale. To play the Bb Aeolian mode, we start on Bb and play through the notes of the Db Major scale.

Here are the 7 modes in the key of Db Major:

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