Squeezebox StudioD major on a D/G melodeon
D major uses D, E, F♯, G, A, B and C♯. On a D/G you can play the whole scale up from D4 and D5.
From D4 to D5
Every note of this octave is on the D row, so you can play it without leaving the row. That takes six changes of bellows going up.
Crossing the rows cuts that to two changes of bellows, at the cost of four moves between rows:
| Note | Buttons |
|---|---|
| D4 | 3 push, 2′ push |
| E4 | 3 pull |
| F♯4 | 4 push, 2′ pull |
| G4 | 4 pull, 3′ push |
| A4 | 5 push, 3′ pull |
| B4 | 5 pull, 4′ push |
| C♯5 | 6 pull |
| D5 | 6 push, 5′ push |
From D5 to D6
Every note of this octave is on the D row, so you can play it without leaving the row. That takes six changes of bellows going up.
Crossing the rows cuts that to two changes of bellows, at the cost of three moves between rows:
| Note | Buttons |
|---|---|
| D5 | 6 push, 5′ push |
| E5 | 7 pull, 5′ pull |
| F♯5 | 7 push, 6′ pull |
| G5 | 8 pull, 6′ push |
| A5 | 8 push, 7′ pull |
| B5 | 9 pull, 7′ push |
| C♯6 | 10 pull |
| D6 | 9 push, 8′ push |
Above and below
From D6 the scale is incomplete: this box has no C♯7 or D7. Tunes that go that far up will need a different note there, or a different key.
Tab is only the start
A scale shows where the notes are, but a tune rarely runs straight up the octave. Whether you play a note on the push or the pull depends on the notes either side of it, the rhythm, and whether you play along the rows or across them. Along or across the rows explains the difference.
Same notes, different home: B minor, E Dorian, A Mixolydian.
D major on other boxes: B/C button accordion.
Other keys on a D/G: G major, C major, E minor, A minor, B minor, A Dorian, E Dorian, D Dorian, D Mixolydian, A Mixolydian, G Mixolydian. Or see every key compared and the D/G button chart.