C Mystery #1 Guitar Scale
Guitar scale — fretboard diagram
C Mystery #1 Scale — Notes and Intervals
The C Mystery #1 scale is a rare and experimental synthetic scale found in modern music theory. On Guitar, its notes are C, Db, E, Gb, Ab, Bb. It is typically associated with generative music and computer-aided composition where traditional rules of melody and harmony are intentionally broken. Commonly used in Experimental, Computer Music, Avant-Garde. Used in experimental, non-functional contexts. A compositional curiosity for exploring unconventional melodic paths.
Notes: C, Db, E, Gb, Ab, Bb
Intervals: 1P, 2m, 3M, 5d, 6m, 7m
Degrees: 1 b2 3 4 b5 b6
Formula: H-WH-W-W-W-W
Number of notes: 6
How to Play C Mystery #1 on Guitar
Place your index finger at fret 8 on the 6th (low E) to find your C 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 open position.
The C Mystery #1 scale contains 4 flats (Db, Gb, Ab, Bb). 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 C Mystery #1 scale ascending and descending at 80 BPM using a metronome, one note per beat. Once comfortable, practice in thirds (C-E, Db-Gb) 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 C to let the characteristic intervals of the Mystery #1 scale come through clearly.
Guitar Tips
Use hybrid picking (pick + fingers) when playing the C Mystery #1 scale on guitar to access wider intervals and string skips that a pick alone cannot handle efficiently.
The C Mystery #1 scale contains 6 notes (C, Db, E, Gb, Ab, Bb). Use the interactive fretboard above to explore this scale on Guitar with different tunings and fret ranges.
CAGED Positions & Patterns for C Mystery #1
The C Mystery #1 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 C Mystery #1 Further
- Harmonize the C Mystery #1 scale — triads & 7th chords
- Browse chord progressions
- C Mystery #1 on Ukulele
- C Mystery #1 on Bass
- C Mystery #1 on Piano
Explore C Mystery #1 in Other Tunings
- C Mystery #1 in Drop D (E-B-G-D-A-D)
- C Mystery #1 in DADGAD (D-A-G-D-A-D)
- C Mystery #1 in Open G (D-B-G-D-G-D)
- C Mystery #1 in Baritone (B Standard) (B-F#-D-A-E-B)
- C Mystery #1 in 7-string (E-B-G-D-A-E-B)
- C Mystery #1 in 8-string (E-B-G-D-A-E-B-F#)
- C Mystery #1 in Drop C (D-A-F-C-G-C)
- C Mystery #1 in Drop B (C#-G#-E-B-F#-B)
- C Mystery #1 in Open D (D-A-F#-D-A-D)
- C Mystery #1 in Half Step Down (Eb-Bb-Gb-Db-Ab-Eb)
- C Mystery #1 in Open E (E-B-G#-E-B-E)
- C Mystery #1 in Open A (E-C#-A-E-A-E)
- C Mystery #1 in Double Drop D (D-B-G-D-A-D)
- C Mystery #1 in Open C (E-C-G-C-G-C)