A# Messiaen's Mode #5 Guitar Scale

A# Messiaen's Mode #5 Scale — Notes and Intervals

The A# Messiaen's Mode #5 scale is a majestic limited-transposition scale that emphasizes large intervals. On Guitar, it contains the notes A#, B, D#, E, F, A. It creates an atmosphere of immense power and grandeur, suitable for depicting grand spiritual or cosmic concepts. Commonly used in Contemporary Classical, Film Scores, Orchestral. Notable players include Olivier Messiaen. Use in orchestral and cinematic contexts for moments of grandeur. Best over sustained pedal tones.

Notes: A#, B, D#, E, F, A

Intervals: 1P, 2m, 4P, 4A, 5P, 7M

Degrees: 1 b2 3 #4 5 6

Formula: H-4-H-H-4-H

Number of notes: 6

Musical Character

Emphasizes large intervals creating an atmosphere of immense power and grandeur — used for depicting grand spiritual or cosmic concepts.

Genres & Notable Artists

Genres: Contemporary Classical, Film Scores, Orchestral

Notable players: Olivier Messiaen

How to Use the A# Messiaen's Mode #5 Scale

Use in orchestral and cinematic contexts for moments of grandeur. Best over sustained pedal tones.

Origin & Background

Part of Messiaen's systematic exploration of limited transposition, used throughout his orchestral works.

How to Play A# Messiaen's Mode #5 on Guitar

Place your index finger at fret 6 on the 6th (low E) to find your A# root note. Use a three-notes-per-string fingering to cover the full scale in one position, or learn the CAGED shapes to navigate the entire fretboard. An alternative starting point is 1st fret on the A string.

The A# Messiaen's Mode #5 scale contains 2 sharps (A#, D#). 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# Messiaen's Mode #5 scale ascending and descending at 100 BPM using a metronome, one note per beat. Once comfortable, practice in thirds (A#-D#, B-E) to build intervallic familiarity. Spend 5 minutes daily on this pattern before increasing tempo by 10 BPM.

Experiment with simple two-chord vamps rooted on A# to let the characteristic intervals of the Messiaen's Mode #5 scale come through clearly. This scale is especially effective in contemporary classical contexts.

Guitar Tips

Use hybrid picking (pick + fingers) when playing the A# Messiaen's Mode #5 scale on guitar to access wider intervals and string skips that a pick alone cannot handle efficiently. Aim for a grand quality in your phrasing to match the natural character of this scale.

Related Scales

• A# Messiaen's mode #3
• A# Messiaen's mode #6
• A# Whole tone

The A# Messiaen's Mode #5 scale contains 6 notes (A#, B, D#, E, F, A). Use the interactive fretboard above to explore this scale on Guitar with different tunings and fret ranges.

CAGED Positions & Patterns for A# Messiaen's Mode #5

The A# Messiaen's Mode #5 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 6-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# Messiaen's Mode #5 Further

• Harmonize the A# Messiaen's Mode #5 scale — triads & 7th chords
• Browse chord progressions
• A# Messiaen's Mode #5 on Ukulele
• A# Messiaen's Mode #5 on Bass
• A# Messiaen's Mode #5 on Piano

Explore A# Messiaen's Mode #5 in Other Tunings

• A# Messiaen's Mode #5 in Drop D (E-B-G-D-A-D)
• A# Messiaen's Mode #5 in DADGAD (D-A-G-D-A-D)
• A# Messiaen's Mode #5 in Open G (D-B-G-D-G-D)
• A# Messiaen's Mode #5 in Baritone (B Standard) (B-F#-D-A-E-B)
• A# Messiaen's Mode #5 in 7-string (E-B-G-D-A-E-B)
• A# Messiaen's Mode #5 in 8-string (E-B-G-D-A-E-B-F#)
• A# Messiaen's Mode #5 in Drop C (D-A-F-C-G-C)
• A# Messiaen's Mode #5 in Drop B (C#-G#-E-B-F#-B)
• A# Messiaen's Mode #5 in Open D (D-A-F#-D-A-D)
• A# Messiaen's Mode #5 in Half Step Down (Eb-Bb-Gb-Db-Ab-Eb)
• A# Messiaen's Mode #5 in Open E (E-B-G#-E-B-E)
• A# Messiaen's Mode #5 in Open A (E-C#-A-E-A-E)
• A# Messiaen's Mode #5 in Double Drop D (D-B-G-D-A-D)
• A# Messiaen's Mode #5 in Open C (E-C-G-C-G-C)

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