Scale degrees · D major
The 2 of D is E
The 2 (two) of D is E: 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, which is exactly where E is — no sharp or flat needed.
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 Dadd9:
D · F♯ · A · E
The 2 in every key
| Key | The 2 |
|---|---|
| C | D |
| G | A |
| D | E |
| A | B |
| E | F♯ |
| B | C♯ |
| F♯ | G♯ |
| D♭ | E♭ |
| A♭ | B♭ |
| E♭ | F |
| B♭ | C |
| F | G |
Every degree of D
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