C# Messiaen's Mode #4 Guitar Scale

Guitar scale in Drop B tuning — fretboard diagram

C# messiaen's mode #4 scale — 6-string guitar fretboard diagramInteractive fretboard diagram showing the C# messiaen's mode #4 scale on 6-string guitar with 22 frets. Notes: C#, D, D#, F#, G, G#, A, C.C#DD#F#GG#ACC#DD#F#GG#AG#ACC#DD#F#GG#ACC#DD#F#F#GG#ACC#DD#F#GG#ACC#DCC#DD#F#GG#ACC#DD#F#GG#AF#GG#ACC#DD#F#GG#ACC#DD#CC#DD#F#GG#ACC#DD#F#GG#A1357911121315171921

C# Messiaen's Mode #4 in Drop B — Notes and Intervals

The C# Messiaen's Mode #4 scale is a symmetrical scale designed to have no single tonic. On Guitar, the notes are C#, D, D#, F#, G, G#, A, C. 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: C#, D, D#, F#, G, G#, A, C

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: Drop B (C#-G#-E-B-F#-B)

Explore This Scale in Other Tunings

← All Guitar scales in Drop B tuning