Scale degrees · B major
The 3 of B is D♯
The 3 (three) of B is D♯ (D sharp): a major third above the root.
B — the root, 1D♯ — the 3
How to find it
Count letters first, the root included: B, C, D. A 3rd lands on D.
Then the sound: a major third is 4 semitones above B, and the D that is 4 semitones up is D♯.
That is why it is D♯ and not E♭: E♭ is the same key on the piano, but from B it would be a 4th, not a 3rd.
Where you meet it
The 3 decides major or minor. With the 7 it is a guide tone: the two notes that say what a chord is.
In B major:
B · D♯ · F♯
The 3 in every key
| Key | The 3 |
|---|---|
| C | E |
| G | B |
| D | F♯ |
| A | C♯ |
| E | G♯ |
| B | D♯ |
| F♯ | A♯ |
| D♭ | F |
| A♭ | C |
| E♭ | G |
| B♭ | D |
| F | A |
Every degree of B
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