Chords in the key of Db major on ukulele
The chords in the key of Db major are built from the notes of the scale: Db, Ebm, Fm, Gb, Ab, Bbm, Cdim. Almost every song in this key uses only these, with the dominant Ab7 leading back to Db.
The chords of the key
- DbI
- Ebmii
- Fmiii
- GbIV
- AbV
- Ab7V7
- Bbmvi
- Cdimvii°
| Degree | Chord | Function |
|---|---|---|
| I | Db | tonic (rest) |
| ii | Ebm | subdominant (moves away) |
| iii | Fm | tonic (rest) |
| IV | Gb | subdominant (moves away) |
| V | Ab | dominant (tension) |
| V7 | Ab7 | dominant (tension) |
| vi | Bbm | tonic (rest) |
| vii° | Cdim | dominant (tension) |
Common progressions
- Pop (I–V–vi–IV): Db – Ab – Bbm – Gb
- 50s (I–vi–IV–V): Db – Bbm – Gb – Ab
- ii–V–I: Ebm – Ab7 – Db – Db
- Turnaround (I–vi | ii–V7): Db Bbm – Ebm Ab7
To improvise
The Db major scale works over all these chords. To start with less risk, use the major pentatonic: five notes that almost never sound wrong in this key.
Relative key: Bb minor, with the same notes and a different home chord.