STRINGSCALES

D♭ ionian major #2 Scale — Guitar Fretboard Visualization

Low E string: E, F, Gb, Ab, Bb, C, Db, E at frets 0, 1, 2, 4, 6, 8, 9, 12

A string: Bb, C, Db, E, F, Gb, Ab at frets 1, 3, 4, 7, 8, 9, 11

D string: E, F, Gb, Ab, Bb, C, Db at frets 2, 3, 4, 6, 8, 10, 11

G string: Ab, Bb, C, Db, E, F, Gb at frets 1, 3, 5, 6, 9, 10, 11

B string: C, Db, E, F, Gb, Ab, Bb at frets 1, 2, 5, 6, 7, 9, 11

High E string: E, F, Gb, Ab, Bb, C, Db, E at frets 0, 1, 2, 4, 6, 8, 9, 12

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Db ionian major #2

The ionian #2 scale, the sixth mode of the neapolitan minor scale, is a major scale whose 2nd is raised to a sharp 2nd, creating an augmented 2nd leap right at the start. The rest is textbook major, so melodies keep snapping between exotic and plain. It is a striking way to make a familiar major progression sound foreign.

it consists of these notes and degrees:

D♭

I

D♭maj
E

#II

G♭7no5/E
F

iii

Fm
G♭

IV

G♭maj
A♭

V+

A♭aug
B♭

vi

B♭m
C

VII

Cmaj♭5

Same notes, different mode

Db ionian major #2 uses the same notes as the scales below. Start from a different note and you get a new mode built on the very same note set.

E ultralocrianF neapolitan minorGb lydian #6Ab mixolydian augmentedBb romani minorC locrian dominant

ionian major #2 in all 12 keys, with chords and related scales

tip
  • Play Db major but leap from the root straight to #2 (E) and settle on the 3rd; one displaced note makes familiar lines sound foreign.
  • Use the #2 (E) as a chromatic ornament to the 3rd (F) in an otherwise textbook major solo; ration it and it stays striking.
  • It is the sixth mode of neapolitan minor, sharing its notes with the neapolitan minor a major 3rd below Db.
  • Over a plain major triad, alternate phrases from Db major and Db ionian #2 (E) to make one chord feel like two worlds.

How to play D♭ ionian major #2 on guitar

Nothing rings open in this key apart from the two E strings, landing as the augmented second, which lets you use them as colour rather than a pedal tone. Roots sit at fret 9 on both E strings and at fret 4 on the A string, giving a barre anchor at either end of the neck. Capo at fret 1 for C shapes. Fm is the iii chord, and the closest root to the nut is fret 2 on the B string.

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