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
| 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. When played starting on D, the 7 notes are D, D♯, F♯, G♯, A♯, C, C♯. In this key the signature has 2 sharps (F♯, C♯). D is the premier key for violin and fiddle music, as the open D string serves as tonic and the A string as dominant. Rock and pop guitarists frequently use D because the open D chord shape and its variations (Dsus2, Dsus4) are among the most versatile voicings on the instrument.
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.