• Big hammer;

    DECLARE @asd VARCHAR(20)

    SET @asd = 'asdaaaadffa'

    SELECT

    Letter,

    Occurrences = COUNT(*)

    FROM (

    SELECT Letter = SUBSTRING(@asd,n,1)

    FROM (SELECT TOP(LEN(@asd)) n = ROW_NUMBER() OVER (ORDER BY (SELECT NULL))

    FROM sys.all_columns) tally

    ) d

    GROUP BY Letter

    ORDER BY Occurrences DESC

    “Write the query the simplest way. If through testing it becomes clear that the performance is inadequate, consider alternative query forms.” - Gail Shaw

    For fast, accurate and documented assistance in answering your questions, please read this article.
    Understanding and using APPLY, (I) and (II) Paul White
    Hidden RBAR: Triangular Joins / The "Numbers" or "Tally" Table: What it is and how it replaces a loop Jeff Moden