D Batti Major Sharp Five Charango Scale
Charango scale — fretboard diagramIntermediate
D Batti Major Sharp Five Scale — Notes and Intervals
The D Batti Major Sharp Five scale is an Ethiopian pentatonic with a raised fifth degree that introduces an augmented quality rare among five-note scales, stretching the intervals into expansive, exotic territory. On Charango, its notes are D, F#, G, Bb, C#. Remarkably, the same scale appears independently in Romanian folk music as Bacovia, suggesting either ancient cultural contact or a striking convergence of musical evolution across continents. Commonly used in Ethiopian, Romanian Folk, World, Experimental. Notable players include Mulatu Astatke. Use over augmented and Maj7#5 chords. The raised 5th pushes the pentatonic beyond its usual consonant comfort zone into more tense, exotic territory.
Notes: D, F#, G, Bb, C#
Intervals: 1P, 3M, 4P, 6m, 7M
Degrees: 1 2 3 b4 5
Formula: 4-H-WH-WH-H
Number of notes: 5
Musical Character
A pentatonic with a raised 5th degree, creating an augmented quality rare in pentatonic scales. The wide intervals produce an expansive, stretching sensation. Also appears in Romanian folk music under the name Bacovia.
Genres & Notable Artists
Genres: Ethiopian, Romanian Folk, World, Experimental
Notable players: Mulatu Astatke
How to Use the D Batti Major Sharp Five Scale
Use over augmented and Maj7#5 chords. The raised 5th pushes the pentatonic beyond its usual consonant comfort zone into more tense, exotic territory.
Origin & Background
From the Ethiopian kiñit system, this variant of the Batti major family features a raised 5th degree. Remarkably, the same scale appears independently in Romanian folk music, where it is known as Bacovia. This parallel suggests either ancient cultural contact or a convergent musical evolution.
How to Play D Batti Major Sharp Five on Charango
Begin by locating D on your instrument and play through the 5 notes of the Batti Major Sharp Five scale slowly, ensuring each note rings clearly before increasing speed.
The D Batti Major Sharp Five scale contains both sharps and flats (2 sharps, 1 flat), which is common in altered and exotic scales. This scale does not follow a traditional major or minor key signature, so reading from sheet music may require accidentals.
Practice Routine — Exercises for Playing
Practice the D Batti Major Sharp Five scale by playing it ascending with one rhythmic feel (straight eighth notes) and descending with another (swing or triplets) at 80 BPM. This dual approach trains both technical accuracy and rhythmic versatility with the 5 notes of the scale.
This scale works well over simple power chord progressions or a 12-bar blues in D. Try a D5 - Bb5 - C#5 progression. This scale is especially effective in world contexts.
Charango Tips
Practice the D Batti Major Sharp Five scale slowly and evenly on your instrument, focusing on tone quality for each of the 5 notes before building speed. Aim for a bright quality in your phrasing to match the natural character of this scale.
Related Scales
The D Batti Major Sharp Five scale contains 5 notes (D, F#, G, Bb, C#). Use the interactive fretboard diagram above to explore each shape and pattern on Charango with different tunings and fret ranges. Practice ascending and descending from the root note to learn the sound of this scale.
CAGED Positions & Patterns for D Batti Major Sharp Five
The D Batti Major Sharp Five scale can be played in 5 CAGED positions across the fretboard, each based on an open chord shape (C, A, G, E, D). As a 5-note pentatonic scale, 2-notes-per-string patterns are the most ergonomic way to traverse the fretboard. Use the pattern selector above to isolate each position.
Explore D Batti Major Sharp Five Further
- Harmonize the D Batti Major Sharp Five scale — triads & 7th chords
- Browse chord progressions
- D Batti Major Sharp Five on Guitar
- D Batti Major Sharp Five on Ukulele
- D Batti Major Sharp Five on Bass
- D Batti Major Sharp Five on Piano