E Messiaen's Mode #4 Cavaquinho Scale

E Messiaen's Mode #4 in Standard — Notes and Intervals

The E Messiaen's Mode #4 scale is a symmetrical scale designed to have no single tonic. On Cavaquinho, the notes are E, F, F#, A, A#, B, C, D#. Messiaen used it to create what he called the charm of impossibilities, evoking a sense of spiritual wonder where the listener loses their sense of direction. Commonly used in Contemporary Classical, Film Scores, Experimental. Notable players include Olivier Messiaen. Use for avant-garde composition and film scoring where traditional tonal direction should dissolve.

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

Intervals: 1P, 2m, 2M, 4P, 4A, 5P, 6m, 7M

Degrees: 1 b2 3 4 #5 6 b7 8

Formula: H-H-WH-H-H-H-WH-H

Number of notes: 8

Tuning: Standard (D-B-G-D)

Explore This Scale in Other Tunings

• E Messiaen's Mode #4 in Standard Tuning

← All Cavaquinho scales in Standard tuning