A Scriabin Guitar Scale
Guitar scale — fretboard diagram
A Scriabin Scale — Notes and Intervals
The A Scriabin scale is a synthetic six-note scale that reflects Alexander Scriabin's interest in creating a new harmonic language. On Guitar, its notes are A, Bb, C#, E, F#. It acts as a bridge between different symmetrical worlds, offering a unique, hovering sound. Commonly used in Contemporary Classical, Experimental. Notable players include Alexander Scriabin. Use in experimental and avant-garde contexts. Not designed for standard chord-scale theory.
Notes: A, Bb, C#, E, F#
Intervals: 1P, 2m, 3M, 5P, 6M
Degrees: 1 b2 3 4 5
Formula: H-WH-WH-W-WH
Number of notes: 5
How to Play A Scriabin on Guitar
Place your index finger at fret 5 on the 6th (low E) to find your A root note. With only 5 notes, this scale fits comfortably in a two-notes-per-string pattern across all six strings. Focus on learning a single box shape first before connecting positions.
The A Scriabin 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
Begin by playing the A Scriabin scale ascending and descending at 80 BPM using a metronome, one note per beat. Once comfortable, practice in thirds (A-C#, Bb-E) to build intervallic familiarity. Spend 5 minutes daily on this pattern before increasing tempo by 10 BPM.
This scale works well over simple power chord progressions or a 12-bar blues in A. Try a A5 - E5 - F#5 progression.
Guitar Tips
Use hybrid picking (pick + fingers) when playing the A Scriabin scale on guitar to access wider intervals and string skips that a pick alone cannot handle efficiently.
The A Scriabin scale contains 5 notes (A, Bb, C#, E, F#). Use the interactive fretboard above to explore this scale on Guitar with different tunings and fret ranges.
CAGED Positions & Patterns for A Scriabin
The A Scriabin 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 A Scriabin Further
- Harmonize the A Scriabin scale — triads & 7th chords
- Browse chord progressions
- A Scriabin on Ukulele
- A Scriabin on Bass
- A Scriabin on Piano
Explore A Scriabin in Other Tunings
- A Scriabin in Drop D (E-B-G-D-A-D)
- A Scriabin in DADGAD (D-A-G-D-A-D)
- A Scriabin in Open G (D-B-G-D-G-D)
- A Scriabin in Baritone (B Standard) (B-F#-D-A-E-B)
- A Scriabin in 7-string (E-B-G-D-A-E-B)
- A Scriabin in 8-string (E-B-G-D-A-E-B-F#)
- A Scriabin in Drop C (D-A-F-C-G-C)
- A Scriabin in Drop B (C#-G#-E-B-F#-B)
- A Scriabin in Open D (D-A-F#-D-A-D)
- A Scriabin in Half Step Down (Eb-Bb-Gb-Db-Ab-Eb)
- A Scriabin in Open E (E-B-G#-E-B-E)
- A Scriabin in Open A (E-C#-A-E-A-E)
- A Scriabin in Double Drop D (D-B-G-D-A-D)
- A Scriabin in Open C (E-C-G-C-G-C)