Scale degrees · D♭ major

The 2 of D♭ is E♭

The 2 (two) of D♭ (D flat, Db) is E♭ (E flat): a major second above the root.

D♭ — the root, 1E♭ — the 2

How to find it

Count letters first, the root included: D, E. A 2nd lands on E.

Then the sound: a major second is 2 semitones above D♭, and the E that is 2 semitones up is E♭.

That is why it is E♭ and not D♯: D♯ is the same key on the piano, but from D♭ it would be an unison, not a 2nd.

Where you meet it

The 2 is a whole step above the root. An octave up it is called the 9 — the same note, E♭ — and it is the first colour most players add to a chord.

In D♭add9:

D♭ · F · A♭ · E♭

The 2 in every key

KeyThe 2
CD
GA
DE
AB
EF♯
BC♯
F♯G♯
D♭E♭
A♭B♭
E♭F
B♭C
FG

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