D Sharp Music Note: The Complete Guide to the Note and Key

As one of the twelve notes in Western music, the D sharp music note sits between D and E. Learn how to recognise D sharp in different clefs, the different scales and modes that start on D sharp and listen to famous songs that feature D sharp prominently in their melodies.

D Sharp Note on The Staff

Here is probably the most common D sharp you’ll see. It sits on the space below the bottom line of the treble clef and is the D sharp above middle C.

Below are different D sharps that you will see on the treble and bass clef. Remember that we can play D sharp notes an octave higher or lower from the D sharp above middle C. This means that technically there are infinite D sharp notes to choose from!

Below are notes that are enharmonically equivalent to D sharp. E flat means one half-steps below E natural, which is a D sharp. F double flat means two half steps below F natural, which is also D sharp.

D Sharp Note on the Piano and Keyboard

D sharp sits between the D and E white keys on the keyboard. The black keys move in groups of two then three. The D sharp note is the second black key in each of the groups of 2.

D Sharp Note Accidentals

We can add accidental signs to a D sharp note and these are shown below. Remember that all these notes are not enharmonically equivalent to D sharp.

D Sharp Music Notes in Different Clefs

Here are typical D sharp notes that you will see in different clefs. Some are lower or higher and for more on how to name the different D sharp notes, check out our post on octaves.

Treble Clef – D Sharp

The D sharp music note above middle C (D#4) sits on the space below the first line of the treble clef.

Bass Clef – D Sharp

The D sharp music note below middle C (D#3) sits on the third line of the bass clef.

Alto Clef – D Sharp

The D sharp above middle C (D#4) sits on the third space of the alto clef.

Tenor Clef – D Sharp

The D sharp above middle C (D#4) sits on the fourth space of the tenor clef.

Mezzo-soprano Clef – D Sharp

The D sharp above middle C (D#4) sits on the second space of the mezzo-soprano clef.

Soprano Clef – D Sharp

The D sharp above middle C (D#4) sits on the first space of the soprano clef.

Baritone Clef – D Sharp

The D sharp below middle C (D#3) sits on the seance line of the baritone clef.

Popular Scales starting on D Sharp

D Sharp Major

The major scale formula is W-W-H-W-W-W-H, where W= whole step and H = half step. Below is the D sharp major scale.

D Sharp Natural Minor

The natural minor formula is W-H-W-W-H-W-W. Below is the D sharp natural minor scale.

D Sharp Harmonic Minor

The harmonic minor formula is W – H – W – W – H – W1/2 – H. Note that this scale has a three semitone step or a whole-step-and-a-half.

D Sharp Melodic Minor

When ascending the melodic minor scale follows this pattern: W-H-W-W-W-W-H.

When descending it follows the natural minor pattern.

Modes Starting on D Sharp

Below are the modes that start on D sharp.

Frequency of G Music Note

Using the equal temperament tuning system, the A above middle C is 440 Hz. This means that the D sharp above middle C would be approximately 311 Hz.

What’s Next…?

• Learn about Chords in the Key of D sharp minor
• Learn about more music notes with our music theory basics guides.