E Enigmatic Cuatro Venezolano Scale
Cuatro Venezolano scale in Standard tuning — fretboard diagram
E Enigmatic in Standard — Notes and Intervals
The E Enigmatic scale was invented as a musical puzzle and famously used by Giuseppe Verdi. On Cuatro Venezolano, the notes are E, F, G#, Bb, C, D, D#. It has an unstable and surreal sound because it lacks the traditional fourth and fifth degrees, creating a gliding effect that challenges the listener's expectations. Commonly used in Classical, Experimental, Film Scores. Notable players include Giuseppe Verdi, Igor Stravinsky. Not chord-specific — this is a melodic scale for creating surreal, non-functional passages. Use over sustained pedal tones or atonal contexts.
Notes: E, F, G#, Bb, C, D, D#
Intervals: 1P, 2m, 3M, 5d, 6m, 7m, 7M
Degrees: 1 b2 3 4 b5 b6 7
Formula: H-WH-W-W-W-H-H
Number of notes: 7
Tuning: Standard (B-F#-D-A)