D Enigmatic Scale

Notes in the D Enigmatic Scale

Degree Name Note Frequency (A=440)
1 Tonic D 293.665 Hz
♭2 Lowered 2nd D# 311.127 Hz
3 Major Mediant F# 369.994 Hz
♯4 Augmented 4th G# 415.305 Hz
♯5 Augmented 5th A# 466.164 Hz
♯6 Augmented 6th C 261.626 Hz
7 Leading Tone C# 277.183 Hz

Interval Pattern

Formula: H-A2-W-W-W-H-H
Step Interval Semitones From Note To Note
1 Half Step (H) 1 D D#
2 Aug 2nd (WH) 3 D# F#
3 Whole Step (W) 2 F# G#
4 Whole Step (W) 2 G# A#
5 Whole Step (W) 2 A# C
6 Half Step (H) 1 C C#
7 Half Step (H) 1 C# D

Chords Built on Scale Degrees

Degree Note Chord Quality
1 D D augmented augmented
♭2 D# D# (complex) other
3 F# F# major
♯4 G# G# (complex) other
♯5 A# A# (complex) other
♯6 C C (complex) other
7 C# C# (complex) other

Key Signature

2 — The D key signature uses F#, C#.

D Enigmatic Scale in Practice

The D Enigmatic Scale uses the key signature of 2 sharps (F#, C#). D major has two sharps (F# and C#) and is known for its bright, brilliant sound. It is the natural key for violin and is widely used in orchestral and folk music. On guitar, D positions offer open-string resonance for fingering positions for this scale.

The enigmatic scale was composed by Giuseppe Verdi in 1889. It has a mysterious, chromatic character with no standard harmonic usage, prized for its unique tonal ambiguity.

Tuning Frequencies Across Temperaments

Frequencies shown at A=440 Hz. View full temperament data for any note.

Note Equal Temp. Pythagorean Just Intonation
D 293.665 Hz 293.332 Hz 294.329 Hz
D# 311.127 Hz 309.026 Hz 313.951 Hz
F# 369.994 Hz 371.251 Hz 367.911 Hz
G# 415.305 Hz 417.657 Hz 418.601 Hz
A# 466.164 Hz 463.538 Hz 470.926 Hz
C 261.626 Hz 260.740 Hz 261.626 Hz
C# 277.183 Hz 278.437 Hz 279.067 Hz

Related Scales

Guitar: D Enigmatic Scale Positions

The D key offers 2 sharps (F#, C#) on guitar. Sharp-side keys like D are idiomatic guitar keys because open strings (E, A, D, G, B, E) align with the scale's natural resonance points.