What is D-flat minor?
Q: What is D-flat minor?
A: D-flat minor is a theoretical key based on the musical note D♭.
Q: How many flats are in the key signature of D-flat minor?
A: The key signature of D-flat minor has seven flats and one double flat.
Q: Why is it usually written as its enharmonic equivalent, C♯ minor?
A: Because it has so many flats, D♭ minor is usually written as its enharmonic equivalent of C♯ minor.
Q: Can you give an example of this?
A: Mahler's thematic motif "der kleine Appell" ("call to order") from his Fourth and Fifth Symphonies is written in D♭ minor in Symphony No.4, but in his Symphony No. 5 it is in C♯ minor. In the Adagio of his Symphony No. 9 a solo bassoon theme appears first in D♭ minor, but comes back two more times notated in C♯ minor. The Adagio of Bruckner's Symphony No. 8, also has phrases that are tonally in D♭ minor but written as C♯ minor.
Q: Are there any other examples of music being written with both keys?
A: Yes, Mahler's thematic motif "der kleine Appell" ("call to order") from his Fourth and Fifth Symphonies and the Adagio of Bruckner's Symphony No. 8 both have phrases that are tonally in D♭ Minor but written as C&#x 266f Minor.
