D-double-flat major key signature

The Solution below shows the Dbb major key signature on the treble clef and bass clef.

The Lesson steps then explain how to write the key signature using both clefs, including the display order and line / space staff positions of the notes, and the sharp / flat accidentals.

For a quick summary of this topic, have a look at Key signature.

Solution

1. D-double-flat major key signature

The D-double-flat major scale has 5 double-flats, 2 flats.

Warning: The D-double-flat key is a theoretical major scale key.

This means:

> Its key signature would contain either double-sharps or double flats.

> It is rarely used in practice, because it is too complex to use.

> It is not on the Circle of fifths diagram, which contains the most commonly used keys.

> There is always an identical major scale that you can use in its place, which is on the Circle of 5ths.

> The C major scale sounds the same / contains the same note pitches, which are played in the same order (the scales are enharmonic), so it can be used as a direct replacement for the D-double-flat major scale.

These note names are shown below on the treble clef followed by the bass clef.

On the bass clef, Middle C is shown with an orange ledger line above the main 5 staff lines.

Lesson steps

1. Piano key note names

The white keys are named using the alphabetic letters A, B, C, D, E, F, and G, which is a pattern that repeats up the piano keyboard.

Every white or black key could have a flat(b) or sharp(#) accidental name, depending on how that note is used. In a later step, if sharp or flat notes are used, the exact accidental names will be chosen.

The audio files below play every note shown on the piano above, so middle C (marked with an orange line at the bottom) is the 2nd note heard.

2. D-double-flat major scale notes

The D-double-flat major scale has 5 double-flats, 2 flats.

To understand why the D-double-flat major scale has 5 double-flats, 2 flats, have a look at the Dbb major scale page, which shows how to identify the note positions and names for this scale.

Since this is a none-based key signature, the music theory rules for constructing key signatures containing nones are covered in the next step.

Related Keys and Topics