D Aeolian Mode

The D Aeolian Mode has a minor quality due to its minor Third F. The Aeolian Mode, like D Aeolian, is one of seven diatonic modes originally formed using just the natural notes (think just the white keys on a piano) but starting on a particular note, A in the case of the Ionian Mode, which creates a unique sequence of intervals. This mode can then be transposed to any key such as D Aeolian Mode in this example. D Aeolian Mode is classified as a heptatonic scale as it has seven notes, D, E, F, G, A, B, C. The D Aeolian Mode is also known as a diatonic scale which conforms to specific rules. Due to its popularity the Aeolian Mode later became known as the Natural Minor Scale. D Aeolian Mode is therefore identical to the D Natural Minor Scale.

Below you will find the D Aeolian Mode notes, notation, patterns, degrees, intervals and more. You can also opt to see the D Aeolian Mode on your preferred instrument.

Theoretical Only

The D Aeolian Mode is considered theoretical only as it has double sharps or flats in the key signature.

The usual alternative is the enharmonic equivalent C♯ Aeolian Mode

Notes Ascending

D, E, F, G, A, B, C, D

Notes Descending

D, C, B, A, G, F, E, D

Pattern Ascending

T, S, T, T, S, T, T

S = Semitone, T = Tone (2 Semitones)

Pattern Descending

T, T, S, T, T, S, T

S = Semitone, T = Tone (2 Semitones)

Degrees Ascending

NoteNumberName
D1Tonic
E2Supertonic
F3Mediant
G4Subdominant
A5Dominant
B6Submediant
C7Subtonic
D8Tonic (Octave)

Degrees Descending

NoteNumberName
D8Tonic (Octave)
C7Subtonic
B6Submediant
A5Dominant
G4Subdominant
F3Mediant
E2Supertonic
D1Tonic

Intervals Ascending

NotesSemitonesInterval
D > D0Perfect Unison (P1)
D > E2Major 2nd (M2)
D > F3minor 3rd (m3)
D > G5Perfect 4th (P4)
D > A7Perfect 5th (P5)
D > B8minor 6th (m6)
D > C10minor 7th (m7)
D > D12Perfect Octave (P8)

Intervals Descending

NotesSemitonesInterval
D > D0Perfect Unison (P1)
D > C2Major 2nd (M2)
D > B4Major 3rd (M3)
D > A5Perfect 4th (P4)
D > G7Perfect 5th (P5)
D > F9Major 6th (M6)
D > E10minor 7th (m7)
D > D12Perfect Octave (P8)

Modes related to D Aeolian Mode

Enharmonic Equivalent Mode

Scale with the same root and notes as the D Aeolian Mode but different spelling.

C♯ Aeolian Mode

Chords related to D Aeolian Mode

Related Triads

These chords have been built using the notes of the D Aeolian Mode. The chords are in degree order and shown in Roman numerals (lowercase = minor/diminished, uppercase = Major/Augmented).

i Chord - D Minor

iio Chord - E Diminished

III Chord - F Major

iv Chord - G Minor

v Chord - A Minor

VI Chord - A Major

VII Chord - C Major

Learn to Play D Aeolian Mode

Instrument View

See D Aeolian Mode on

If you want to learn what scales and modes are and much more, check out our free Fundamentals of Music Theory course. If you already know some of the basics, you can jump straight into the scales lesson.

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